Incidence and onset of critical illness polyneuropathy in patients with septic shock.
BACKGROUND
To estimate the incidence and onset of critical illness polyneuropathy (CIP) in patients in septic shock.


METHODS
Prospective, observational study, no interventions, in a general 9-bed ICU of a large teaching hospital. Twenty-five patients consecutively admitted to the ICU for treatment of septic shock were studied. Within 72 h of admission to the ICU a complete neurological examination and electromyografic studies were done. Studies were repeated weekly until discharge of ICU or death or CIP confirmed.


RESULTS
Nineteen patients developed CIP (76%), with a majority (80%) within 72 h after onset of septic shock. All twenty-two patients with multi organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) had CIP. The three patients without MODS did not have CIP (P<0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
In a group of patients suffering from septic shock the incidence of CIP is high (76%). The onset is early, within 72 h after onset of septic shock. CIP is an early feature of MODS, developing after septic shock.
Tepper
M
M
Department of Surgery, Twenteborg Ziekenhuis, Almelo, The Netherlands.
Rakic
S
S
Haas
J A
JA
Woittiez
A J
AJ
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015897:Comorbidity; D016638:Critical Illness; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009102:Multiple Organ Failure / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011115:Polyneuropathies / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012772:Shock, Septic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D013997:Time Factors