Changes in Telomere Length and Indicators of Oxidative Stress in Critically Ill Mechanically Ventilated Adults - A Pilot Study.

Pilot findings suggest that critical illness significantly correlates with telomere attrition, perhaps due to increased oxidative stress. Future larger and longitudinal studies investigating mechanisms of telomere attrition and associations with clinical outcomes are needed to identify potential modifiable factors for subsequent intervention to improve outcomes for critically ill patients.