Intensive Care Unit Acquired Weakness as a Modifiable Organ Dysfunction? A Narrative Review of Evolving Diagnostic and Therapeutic Concepts
Abstract
Intensive Care Unit Acquired Weakness (ICUAW) is a highly prevalent neuromuscular complication affecting around 40% of critically ill patients, rising to over 80% in high-risk cohorts. It is independently associated with prolonged mechanical ventilation, increased intensive care unit (ICU) and hospital length of stay, elevated mortality (in-hospital, 1-year, and 5-year), higher healthcare costs, and long-term functional impairment. ICUAW is clinically defined by symmetric flaccid tetraparesis, frequently involving respiratory muscles, and exhibits significant pathobiological heterogeneity. Further subclassification is based on neurotopographic patterns: Critical Illness Polyneuropathy (CIP), Myopathy (CIM), and Polyneuromyopathy (CIPNM). Diagnosis typically relies on the Medical Research Council (MRC) Sum Score, with a threshold of
Fields of Study & Subjects
Intensive Care Unit Cognitive Disorders
Sepsis Diagnosis and Treatment
Peripheral Neuropathies and Disorders
Publication details
- Journal / source
- Nutrients
- Publisher
- MDPI AG
- Volume
- 18
- Issue
- 5
- Pages
- 820–820
- Publication date
- 3 March 2026
- Language
- EN