Pain, analgesic intake and mental health of German intensive care unit nurses

Abstract

Background and Aim: Since nurses in general are frequently affected by pain and depressive episodes, the aim of this study was to analyze the prevalence of pain, frequency of analgesic intake and the mental health of intensive care nurses. Methods: This study was a survey study of German intensive care nurses and the questionnaire comprised self-developed items and the short version of the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-21). Results: A total of 432 intensive care nurses (82.97% female) were included in the analysis. Recurrent pain was reported by 36.81% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 31.31%; 42.99%) of study participants and chronic pain by 18.52% (95% CI: 14.68%; 23.05%). Body weight (adjusted odds ratio (AOR): 1.02 [95% CI: 1.01; 1.03]; p = 0.006) and sex (male AOR: 0.33 [95% CI: 0.14; 0.78]; p = 0.012) were significantly associated with chronic pain, and sex (male AOR: 0.59 [95% CI: 0.31; 1.00]; p = 0.049) and the presence of sleeping problems (AOR: 2.16 [95% CI: 1.41; 3.31]; p ≤ 0.001) with recurrent pain. Analgesics were used by 52.61% of study participants with chronic/recurrent pain (most frequently used substance: ibuprofen [81.67%]). Study participants with chronic and recurrent pain indicated significantly higher depression, anxiety and stress levels compared to those without pain. Conclusion: This study indicates that a large number of participating intensive care nurses are suffering from chronic and recurrent pain. Pain in this population was associated with a variety of factors.