title: Neuromuscular disorders in critical illness.
abstract: Neuromuscular disorders in the background of critical illness are under diagnosed. Standardized screening for weakness in the intensive care unit (ICU) setting is uncommon and persistent weakness as a sequel of critical illness is usually not recognized by physicians in the ICU for whom survival from acute illness is the primary outcome. The spectrum of illness ranges from isolated nerve entrapment with focal pain or weakness, to disuse muscle atrophy with mild weakness, and to severe myopathy or neuropathy with associated severe, prolonged weakness. This update focuses on neuromuscular disorders occurring in the critical care set up associated with diffuse and severe weakness.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, KS Hedge Medical Academy, Deralakatte, Mangalore 575108, Karnataka, India. panditmng@sancharnet.in
authors.forename: Lekha
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Pandit
authors.forename: Amit
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Agrawal
mesh_terms: D016638:Critical Illness / Q000401:mortality*; D006801:Humans; D018908:Muscle Weakness / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000294:innervation / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D009135:Muscular Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D020966:Muscular Disorders, Atrophic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D009408:Nerve Compression Syndromes / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D019148:Neuromuscular Blockade / Q000009:adverse effects; D020511:Neuromuscular Junction Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D010525:Peripheral Nerves / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D011115:Polyneuropathies / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*