ICU sedation, delirium & recovery
Prevalence of long-term decision regret and associated risk factors in a large cohort of ICU surrogate decision makers
Authors' conclusion
One in five ICU surrogate decision makers experience moderate to strong regret about life support decisions in ICU. Poor patient outcomes are linked to more regret. Decisions to limit life support prior to patient death may also increase regret.
Study context
- Population
- Surrogate decision makers of critically ill adult ICU patients748 with complete Decision Regret Scale (DRS) data
- Participants
- 848 participants
- Primary endpoint
- Decision regret about life support decisions (Decision Regret Scale, 0–100, higher = more regret)
- Follow-up
- 6 months
Primary result
As reported in the abstract
Decision Regret Scale score
DRS score, median (IQR)
15
0, 25
Mild regret (DRS 5-25)
54%
Moderate-strong regret (DRS 30-100)
19%
No regret (DRS 0)
27%
Further findings
Factors associated with regret, model 2 (covariates known at ICU decision-making)
| β (95% CI) | |
|---|---|
| Palliative care consultation | 3.0 (0.1–5.9) |
| Limitations in life support prior to death | 6.3 (3.1–9.4) |
| Surrogate black race | 6.3 (0.3–12.3) |
| Outcome | β (95% CI) |
|---|---|
| Factors associated with regret, model 1 (incl. patient outcomes)Multiple linear regression | 10.1 (3.2–17.0) |
Other modulators of regret (subgroup analyses by survival at discharge and 6 months)
- Surrogate age and education level, surrogate-patient relationship, death in hospital (vs post-discharge), and code status at ICU admission
Original publication
Prevalence of long-term decision regret and associated risk factors in a large cohort of ICU surrogate decision makers. Crit Care. Published 16 February 2023. doi:10.
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