Patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) could develop muscle weakness associated with impairment of physical function defined as intensive care unit acquired weakness. Significant muscle loss occurs in the first week of the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) hospitalizations due to acute respiratory failure. Patients lose 18 percent of their body weight when discharged from the ICU. The presence of sepsis is known as the hypercatabolic process for the muscles. Hypophosphatemia and hypomagnesemia can cause respiratory muscle weakness. Fever and inflammation, use of muscle relaxant or sedatives may also cause muscle loss in intensive care during this period.~COVID-19 is an acute infection with a high risk of enormous cytokine storm exacerbating the clinical condition in acute respiratory distress syndrome and is thought to further increase the risk of muscle weakness.~The patients will be evaluated for hand grip strength, calf circumference measurement, 'Strength, Assistance with walking, Rise from a chair, Climb stairs and Falls' (SARCF), SarQoL, timed up and go test, sit to stand test, and Short form-36.
The primary aim of this study is to evaluate the patients who had pneumonia or severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) due to COVID-19 in terms of sarcopenia and related factors following Intensive Care Unit (ICU).~The patients who had COVID-19 infection in the ICU and the patients who admitted to the 'Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation' clinic for other reasons during the pandemic period will be compared in terms of sarcopenia.