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To assess the prevalence of dyspnea in mechanically ventilated patients, researchers in France prospectively studied 96 intubated or tracheotomized patients (mean age, 61) in two intensive care units (ICUs). Patients had no known psychiatric or cognitive disorders, were mechanically ventilated for at least 24 hours (median duration, 3 days), and were able to communicate. Indications for intubation were mainly hypoxemia (usually from pneumonia) and underlying neuromuscular disorders.
Patients indicated their degree of dyspnea, anxiety, and pain on 10-cm visual analog scales (VASs). Overall, 47% of patients reported dyspnea (most often described as respiratory effort or air hunger); the median VAS score was 5. Dyspnea was independently associa…