Post‐intensive care syndrome: Recent advances and future directions

Post‐intensive care syndrome comprises physical, cognitive, and mental impairments in patients treated in an intensive care unit (ICU). It occurs either during the ICU stay or following ICU discharge and is related to the patients' long‐term prognosis. The same concept also applies to pediatric patients, and it can greatly affect the mental status of family members. In the 10 years since post‐intensive care syndrome was first proposed, research has greatly expanded. Here, we summarize the recent evidence on post‐intensive care syndrome regarding its pathophysiology, epidemiology, assessment, risk factors, prevention, and treatments. We highlight new topics, future directions, and strategies to overcome post‐intensive care syndrome among people treated in an ICU. Clinical and basic research are still needed to elucidate the mechanistic insights and to discover therapeutic targets and new interventions for post‐intensive care syndrome. Post‐intensive care syndrome (PICS) includes physical, cognitive, and mental impairments that occur during ICU stay or following ICU discharge as well as the long‐term prognosis of ICU patients. This review summarizes the outline of PICS, including chronic pain, risk factors, and assessment, as well as recent evidence of the prevention and treatment of PICS. Furthermore, looking ahead to the next decade, this review highlights the potential of ICU telemedicine, support for the return to work, and community health care toward the social reintegration of patients with PICS.