Symptom Burden, Communication Difficulties, and Psychological Distress as Predictors of Outcomes in Mechanically Ventilated Patients

Abstract

Background: Mechanical ventilation is essential for patients with acute respiratory failure but is frequently associated with pain, anxiety, breathlessness, symptom burden, and communication difficulties. Early recognition of these concerns is important for patient-centered intensive care.
Objective: To assess symptom burden, communication difficulties, and psychological distress as predictors of clinical outcomes among patients receiving invasive mechanical ventilation.
Design/Methods: A quantitative, prospective observational study was conducted among 60 adults receiving invasive mechanical ventilation for at least 24 hours in selected intensive care units. Data were collected using demographic and clinical records, the Puntillo 10-Item ICU Symptom Assessment Checklist, Ease of Communication Scale (ECS), and Faces Anxiety Scale (FAS). Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to examine associations between patient-reported experiences and ventilator-derived clinical parameters.
Results: Among the 60 participants, 61.7% were male and 40.0% were aged 41–60 years. Significant positive correlations were observed between ventilator parameter severity and physical symptom burden (r = 0.615, p < 0.01), communication difficulties (r = 0.542, p < 0.01), and anxiety (r = 0.488, p < 0.01). Greater symptom burden, communication difficulties, and anxiety were therefore associated with greater severity of ventilator-derived parameters.
Conclusion: Mechanically ventilated patients experience substantial physical and psychological distress, accompanied by communication difficulties. Higher symptom burden, impaired communication, and anxiety were significantly associated with greater ventilator parameter severity. Routine assessment of these domains may facilitate early identification of patient needs. Integrating systematic symptom assessment, alternative communication strategies, and psychological support into ICU nursing care may enhance comfort and individualized patient-centered management.