Long-term outcome after acute lung injury

Area of Science:

• Critical care medicine
• Pulmonology
• Neuroscience

Background:

• Acute lung injury (ALI) incidence is rising, while mortality decreases, highlighting the public health importance of long-term survivor care.
• Survivors of ALI and critical illness are known to be at risk for physical, cognitive, and mental health impairments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review recent studies on long-term outcomes following acute lung injury (ALI) and critical illness.
• To update knowledge on the persistent sequelae experienced by ALI survivors.

Main Methods:

• Review of recent scientific literature and randomized controlled trials.
• Analysis of studies investigating long-term physical, cognitive, and mental health outcomes post-critical illness.

Main Results:

• Persistent physical and cognitive impairments are evident up to 5 years after critical illness recovery.
• Glucose dysregulation may contribute to depression and cognitive impairment; premorbid conditions are risk factors, but critical illness itself independently predicts functional decline.
• Post-intensive care unit (ICU) interventions alone may be insufficient for improving health-related quality of life in ALI survivors.

Conclusions:

• Impairments in physical, cognitive, and mental health are common, persistent, and costly sequelae of ALI.
• Early interventions during critical illness, including physical/occupational therapy and ICU diaries, show promise for improving long-term outcomes.
• Further research is essential for improved prediction, prevention, and treatment of these long-term consequences.