Change in muscle cross-sectional area and its influence on functional outcome in ventilated intensive care unit patients：A prospective study.

This study was a prospective study. The cross sectional area(CSA)of the multifidus muscle was assessed and measured using computed tomography(CT)in ICU patients on admission and at discharge and in age matched healthy controls. The physical functional test for the ICU(PFIT s), Medical Research Council(MRC)sum score, and duration of prolonged bed rest were assessed in the ICU patients on admission and at discharge. Paired t test was used to assess changes in outcomes, and unpaired t test was used to compare the results between the ICU patients and controls. Pearson’s correlation coefficient was used to assess the relationship between muscle CSA and functional outcome. The study was approved by the regional ethics committee and conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki.