Opioids Withdrawal Syndrome in Critically Ill Patients: a Multicenter Prospective Cohort Study

Critically ill patients who are mechanically ventilated may require prolonged administration of sedatives and analgesics. Their prolonged use has been associated with withdrawal symptoms upon rapid weaning in critically ill patients. These withdrawal symptoms may be associated with adverse clinical outcomes. Although well studied in the paediatric population, little is known about the epidemiology, risk factors and optimal screening methods in adults. Studying this problem is essential as we strive to develop proper weaning strategies. Methods: Prospective observational two-center study in critically ill adult patients Objectives: 1) Describe the incidence of iatrogenic withdrawal of sedatives and analgesics in critically ill adult patients and 2) Evaluate the performance of screening tools assessing withdrawal that were developed for the paediatric patient in the adult population.