Table 1 Descriptive characteristics of the dyads of patients with chronic critical illness and their family members (n = 83)

Age [years median (IQR)]

61.7 (56.0 to 65.7)

59.9 (48.6 to 64.4)

.004*** (Z)^a

Gender [n (%)]

 Male

61 (73.5)

23 (27.7)

 Female

22 (26.5)

60 (72.3)

<.001*** (χ ²)^b

Family status [n (%)]

 Single

6 (7.2)

 Married/cohabited

63 (75.9)

 Divorced/living apart

8 (9.6)

 Widowed

6 (7.2)

Characteristics of relationship [median (IQR)]

 Length of partnership^c

37.0 (25.8 to 43.0)

 Satisfaction with relationship

10.0 (8.0 to 10.0)

 Closeness of relationship

10.0 (9.0 to 10.0)

Living together in mutual household, yes/no [n (%)]

62 (74.7)/21 (25.3)

Caring for ill patient at the moment, yes/no [n (%)]

45 (54.2)/38 (45.8)

Education [n (%)]^d

 <10 years

26 (31.3)

 ≥10 years

54 (65.1)

ICU stay [days median (IQR)]

66.0 (49.0 to 97.0)

Mechanical ventilation [days median (IQR)]

50.0 (33.0 to 76.0)

Sepsis [n (%)]

 No sepsis

29 (34.9)

 Sepsis

28 (33.7)

 Severe sepsis or septic shock

26 (31.3)

Site of infection [n (%)]

 Respiratory

37 (44.6)

 Urinary/genitals

8 (9.6)

 Abdominal

8 (9.6)

 Bones/soft tissue

5 (6.0)

 Wound infection

2 (2.4)

 Heart

1 (1.2)

 Multiple

9 (10.8)

 Others^e

4 (4.8)

 Unknown

4 (4.8)

Barthel index, median (IQR)

 At admission at post-acute ICU

−200.0 (−225.0 to 140.0)

 At discharge from post-acute rehabilitation

−25.0 (−80.0 to 10.0)

 At discharge from rehab hospital

70.0 (45.0 to 85.0)

Time following ICU discharge [months median (IQR)]

4.7 (3.8 to 6.4)

Min 3.1, Max 9.2

4.8 (3.9–6.5)

Min 3.1, Max 9.2

<.001*** (Z)^a

Time following mechanical ventilation [months median (IQR)]

3.9 (3.2 to 5.9)

Min 1.3, Max 8.5

4.2 (3.3–6.1)

Min 1.3, Max 9.4

<.001*** (Z)^a