Impact of ICU-acquired weakness on post-ICU physical functioning: a follow-up study (Critical Care)

IntroductionIntensive Care Unit – acquired weakness (ICU-AW) is thought to mediate physical impairments in survivors of critical illness but few studies have investigated this thoroughly. The purpose was to investigate differences in post-ICU mortality and physical functioning between patients with and without ICU-AW at 6 months after ICU discharge.MethodICU patients, mechanically ventilated ≥2 days, were included in a single center prospective observational cohort study. ICU-AW was diagnosed when the average Medical Research Council (MRC) score was