Clinical Comparison of Post-intensive Care Syndrome and Long Coronavirus Disease

Abstract

Post-intensive care syndrome (PICS) encompasses persistent physical, psychological, and cognitive impairments. The coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic highlighted parallels between PICS and "long COVID". There is an overlap between the 2 in risk factors, symptoms, and pathophysiology. Physical impairments in both include weakness and fatigue. Cognitive impairments include executive dysfunction in PICS and "brain fog" in long COVID. Mental health issues consist of depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress disorder in both disease states. Long COVID and PICS impact families, with multifaceted effects on physical health, mental well-being, and socioeconomic stability. Understanding these syndromes is crucial for comprehensive patient care and family support.

Keywords: Chronic low-grade inflammation; Fatigue; Long COVID; PICS; SARS-CoV-2.