Table 1 Demographic data of the enrolled patients (n = 75)

Age (mean, standard deviation)

58.3 ± 17.8

Gender (f/m)

16 (21.3%) / 59 (78.7%)

Reason for ICU admission

 Major trauma

34 (45.3%)

 Non-abdominal sepsis

17 (22.7%)

 Acute abdomen

10 (13.3%)

 Medical conditions

14 (18.7%)

Endotracheal tube / tracheostomy

11 (14.7%) / 64 (85.3%)

Duration of ventilation before examination (median, quartiles), days

15 (IQR: 8 - 25 )

Sedatives (clonidine, propofol, or isoflurane)

17 (22.7%)

Analgesia (sufentanil or piritramid)

57 (76.0%)