Long term outcomes after ICU

Post-intensive care syndrome (PICS) is a common and multifaceted consequence of critical illness, affecting more than half of ICU survivors and encompassing persistent physical, cognitive and mental health impairments that may last for years and impair quality of life and functional recovery. Physical limitations, including ICU-acquired weakness and reduced exercise capacity, frequently coexist with mental health disorders and cognitive impairment. The burden extends to family members (PICS-F), who commonly experience psychological distress and reduced well-being. Risk factors include premorbid vulnerability as well as ICU-related exposures and complications. Preventive strategies focus on optimizing ICU care, particularly through the ABCDEF bundle (Assess, prevent and manage pain; Both spontaneous awakening and breathing trials; Choice of analgesia and sedation; Delirium assessment, prevention and management; Early mobility and exercise; and Family engagement and empowerment), while structured follow-up with early, targeted screening in high-risk patients is recommended to identify impairments and guide management across the recovery continuum.