Brit J Hosp Med
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Patients who survive critical illness are at risk of permanent physical and functional deficits which decrease the health-related quality of life. The reasons for physical morbidity include the nature of and treatment for the inciting critical illness, new decrements in organ function and worsening of pre-existing organ dysfunction, and prolonged physical immobility and long intensive care unit stay.
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Cognitive dysfunction is increasingly recognized as a common, often prolonged and potentially disabling complication of critical illness. While demonstrable in patients who have survived a variety of both medical and surgical conditions, its causes remain unclear. Screening of patients in intensive care units and at follow up may help identify those who could benefit from cognitive rehabilitation.
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Critical care illness is often followed by protracted, slow and incomplete recovery. Survivors given access to specialized rehabilitation achieve a higher level of recovery, with greater independence and less need for social or health-care support long-term.
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As the physical care of individuals with critical illness has improved greater numbers have survived. However, until recently the psychological response to such critical illness has received comparatively little attention.