Survivors of Acute Lung Injury Have Greater Impairments in Strength and Exercise Capacity Than Survivors of Other Critical Illnesses as Measured Shortly After ICU Discharge.

Purpose: To compare the physical function on ICU discharge in adults who survived an ICU admission for acute lung injury (ALI) with those admitted for a critical illness other than ALI.

Materials And Methods: Two groups were recruited, (i) those who survived an ICU admission for ALI and, (ii) those who survived an ICU admission for a critical illness other than ALI. Within 7 days of discharge from ICU, in all participants, measures were collected of peripheral muscle strength, balance, walking speed and functional exercise capacity.