A prospective study of the incidence of critical illness polyneuropathy

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Introduction

Critical illness polyneuropathy (CIP) has been associated with sepsis and multiorgan dysfunction syndrome (MODS). Studies have reported an incidence of CIP that oscillated among 21-81.8% [1,2,3].We conducted this study to assess the incidence of CIP in our intensive care unit.

Setting

Polyvalent ICU.

Method

During the period of 05/01/1999 to 10/30/1999 359 patients entered our unit, from this group 154 needed mechanical ventilation for more then five days. The APACHE II score and GORIS score of multiorgan failure was evaluated. When they were transferred from the unit EMG study was realized according to the protocol published before [1].

Patients with a history of polyneuropathy, chronic renal failure, diabetes mellitus, chronic alcoholism and thus patients with polytraumatism of lower extremity, in which it was not possible to realize the study, were excluded.

Results

See Table.

Our results show a smaller incidence (6.6%) of CIP than other studies [1,2].These studies had a major proportion of patients with neurotrauma and polytrauma and our sample was only 13%. Nevertheless, we can observe a score of FMO larger than or equal to 5, and a more extended mechanical ventilation tim,e which can also explain the difference that was found.

Table