Rehabilitation outcomes of 5 patients with severe West Nile virus infection: a case series.
OBJECTIVE
To report inpatient rehabilitation outcome in severe cases of West Nile virus (WNV) infection.


METHODS
Retrospective case series.


METHODS
Freestanding rehabilitation hospital.


METHODS
Five consecutive patients admitted to an inpatient rehabilitation hospital with proven WNV infection.


METHODS
had severe neurologic manifestations and functional deficits.


METHODS
Not applicable.


METHODS
FIM instrument scores.


RESULTS
On admission, overall FIM scores ranged from 31 to 68, with a mean of 44.40+/-15.85; overall FIM scores ranged from 52 to 90, with a mean of 76.00+/-15.03 at discharge.


CONCLUSIONS
All patients demonstrated significant functional improvement ( P <.001). Length of stay ranged from 10 to 71 days, with a mean of 32 days. Lower functional outcome and higher cost of care were noted in patients and was attributable to severe muscle weakness and axonal neuropathy.
Rao
Noel
N
Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital, Wheaton, IL, USA. nrao@marianjoy.org
Char
David
D
Gnatz
Steve
S
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000191:economics; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012047:Rehabilitation Centers; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014901:West Nile Fever / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*