ICU diary is effective in aiding psychological recovery and reducing the incidence of new onset PTSD in patients three months after ICU discharge. The impact of ICU diaries on PTSD in relatives of critically ill patients in Australia has not been fully elucidated.

To determine the impact of ICU diaries on the incidence of PTSD, stress and family satisfaction in the relatives of critically ill patients.

One hundred and eight consecutive patients, staying > 48 hours in a tertiary ICU were identified. A survey using DASS-21, IES-R, and FS-ICU questionnaires was performed followed by a repeat survey 90 days post discharge from ICU. An IES-R score of > 33 was used to define PTSD. A FS-ICU score < 5 was used to define dissatisfaction.

Forty subjects refused to participate, eight were excluded, sixty family members were included for analysis on an intention to treat basis which included 36 completed diaries. Whilst there was no association between PTSD at 3-month follow-up and diary use (P-value = 0.9), there was an association with PTSD at baseline (P-value = 0.02) and unemployment (P-value = 0.0045). Medical patients had mean PTSD score 3.0 units greater than surgical (estimate = 3.0, 95% CI: 0.3, 5.7). Families who were dissatisfied (FS-ICU score of < 5) were not at more at risk of developing PTSD than families who were satisfied (P-value = 0.74).

ICU diaries did not impact on the incidence of stress, family satisfaction with care and PTSD in relatives of patients in this index population.

The author has not supplied his/her declaration of competing interest.