Physical outcomes after critical illness: Muscle mass and strength are important for achieving outcomes that may matter most to patients (Editorial)

Abstract

In the past 12 months, Australian Critical Care has seen a notable increase in the number of manuscripts submitted to the journal wherein the focus has been on the long-term recovery for survivors with critical illness. The compromise that occurs as a result of critical illness is multifactorial and can have a physical, psychological, social, and economic impact on the patient and their family.1,2 Although patient-oriented outcomes, such as these, that extend beyond survival have been a research and clinical focus for some time,3 there is still much we do not know about accurate assessment and optimal management.4 In this issue, two articles focus specifically on the physical impact of critical illness by exploring the assessment of muscle mass5 and strength.6