Critical care research in low- and middle-income countries: a narrative review

Critical illness poses a significant global health challenge, disproportionately affecting low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) and other low-resource settings, where healthcare resources and infrastructure are often limited. This narrative review explores the multifaceted dynamics of critical care research in low-resource settings, focusing on socioeconomic, demographic and structural barriers that impact the delivery of intensive care services and its consequences for clinical research. Research is a cornerstone in addressing these challenges. Locally relevant evidence is crucial for informing healthcare policies and clinical guidelines, particularly in adapting high-income country recommendations to resource-constrained contexts. This review describes research challenges and findings on several fields of critical care in LMICs. It underscores the pressing need for sustained investment in critical care research and infrastructure in LMICs to overcome health disparities and improve outcomes for critically ill patients.