The role of future longitudinal studies in ICU survivors: understanding determinants and pathophysiology of weakness and neuromuscular dysfunction.
OBJECTIVE
The goals of this review are to discuss the pathophysiology and determinants of muscle weakness and neuromuscular dysfunction after critical illness, and to offer thoughts regarding the role of future longitudinal studies in this area.


RESULTS
While recent studies support the finding that neuromuscular dysfunction is common and important after critical illness, reversible risk factors and approaches to prevention and treatment remain unproven. Pathophysiologic studies implicate disease and treatment associated factors in the development of nerve and muscle damage during critical illness; these factors may provide targets for future studies.


CONCLUSIONS
Additional studies with improved methodology that address epidemiology and that test interventions are needed to understand and to improve neuromuscular function after critical illness.
Hough
Catherine L
CL
Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA. cterrlee@u.washington.edu
Needham
Dale M
DM
D000367:Age Factors; D016638:Critical Illness; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units / Q000458:organization & administration*; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D018908:Muscle Weakness / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D009468:Neuromuscular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care / Q000379:methods*; D011788:Quality of Life; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012737:Sex Factors; D017741:Survivors