Conclusions There is considerable variability in the type of measures utilized to measure physical impairments and limitations in survivors of critical illness .
Purpose To identify measures used to evaluate the broad constructs of functional impairment and limitations in the critically ill across the continuum of recovery , and to evaluate , synthesis e and compare the clinimetric properties of the measures identified .
Physical Complications in Acute Lung Injury Survivors: A Two-Year Longitudinal Prospective Study
Objective : Survivors of severe critical illness frequently develop substantial and persistent physical complications , including muscle weakness , impaired physical function , and decreased health-related quality of life . Our objective was to determine the longitudinal epidemiology of muscle weakness , physical function , and health-related quality of life and their associations with critical illness and ICU exposures . Design : A multisite prospect i ve study with longitudinal follow-up at 3 , 6 , 12 , and 24 months after acute lung injury . Setting : Thirteen ICUs from four academic teaching hospitals . Patients : Two hundred twenty-two survivors of acute lung injury . Interventions : None . Measurements and Main Results : At each time point , patients underwent st and ardized clinical evaluations of extremity , h and grip , and respiratory muscle strength ; anthropometrics ( height , weight , mid-arm circumference , and triceps skin fold thickness ) ; 6-minute walk distance , and the Medical Outcomes Short-Form 36 health-related quality of life survey . During their hospitalization , survivors also had detailed daily evaluation of critical illness and related treatment variables . Over one third of survivors had objective evidence of muscle weakness at hospital discharge , with most improving within 12 months . This weakness was associated with substantial impairments in physical function and health-related quality of life that persisted at 24 months . The duration of bed rest during critical illness was consistently associated with weakness throughout 24-month follow-up . The cumulative dose of systematic corticosteroids and use of neuromuscular blockers in the ICU were not associated with weakness . Conclusions : Muscle weakness is common after acute lung injury , usually recovering within 12 months . This weakness is associated with substantial impairments in physical function and health-related quality of life that continue beyond 24 months . These results provide valuable prognostic information regarding physical recovery after acute lung injury . Evidence -based methods to reduce the duration of bed rest during critical illness may be important for improving these long-term impairments
Conclusions There is considerable variability in the type of measures utilized to measure physical impairments and limitations in survivors of critical illness .
Purpose To identify measures used to evaluate the broad constructs of functional impairment and limitations in the critically ill across the continuum of recovery , and to evaluate , synthesis e and compare the clinimetric properties of the measures identified .