Despite being young, healthy, and physically fit, some intensive care unit (ICU) patients experience significantly worse functional recovery after critical illness than older patients with multiple comorbidities although a poor precondition seems to be associated with worse ICU outcomes. This paradox highlights a fundamental gap in our understanding of the determinants of long-term recovery. While nonmodifiable factors such as age and pre-existing disease explain part of the variation, they cannot fully account for the wide heterogeneity in outcomes. Metabolic disturbances during critical illness, such as hypercatabolism, impaired muscle metabolism, nutritional deficits, systemic inflammation, and disruption of gut health, are likely to influence recovery trajectories, yet remain poorly characterized. Because these processes represent potentially modifiable targets, combining their evaluation with nonmodifiable patient characteristics is essential for unraveling the complex, multifactorial mechanisms underlying post-intensive care syndrome (PICS). This explorative, prospective, observational study aims to investigate the associations between metabolic signatures during the acute phase of critical illness and PICS outcomes throughout the recovery trajectory of ICU survivors, with a primary focus on physical functioning. In addition, the study explores the longitudinal course of metabolic parameters from ICU admission up to 12 months post-discharge, and whether these signatures can help identify distinct recovery phenotypes. Participants will be followed for 12 months, with study assessments at ICU admission, ICU discharge, and at 3-, 6-, and 12-months post-ICU admission.
Age range
18 Years
Sex
ALL
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Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
Subjective physical functioning
Timeframe: 3-months post-ICU admission
Handgrip strength
Timeframe: 3-months post-ICU admission
Leg strength and endurance
Timeframe: 3-months post-ICU admission
Muscle size
Timeframe: 3-months post-ICU admission
Muscle size
Timeframe: 3-months post-ICU admission
Body composition
Timeframe: 3-months post-ICU admission