A pilot study on coexisting symptoms in intensive care patients.

Little is known about the symptoms of patients in the intensive care unit (ICU). This pilot study prospectively evaluated the perceptions on nine symptoms (pain, dyspnea, thirst, nausea, hunger, tiredness, anxiety, generalized discomfort, and depressed feelings) of ICU patients receiving ventilation and examined their relationships. Patients' symptoms were assessed by a numeric rating scale.