The Critical Clock: Time-Dependent Inflammation, Catabolism and Immunosuppression Syndrome Is Associated with ICU Mortality

Background/Objectives: Chronic critical illness (CCI) is increasingly recognized as a major challenge in intensive care, yet its definition remains heterogeneous. The triad of inflammation, catabolism, and immunosuppression (ICS) is central to proposed CCI pathophysiology, but the association between its changing components and prognosis has not been systematically evaluated. We examined whether the current presence of the biomarker-defined ICS syndrome was associated with ICU mortality.