Hyperglycemia and acquired weakness in critically ill patients: potential mechanisms.
Critical illness polyneuropathy/critical illness myopathy (CIP/CIM) is a major cause of mortality and long-term morbidity in critically ill patients, but the true incidence and prevalence of these syndromes are not known. Hermans and colleagues show that when intensive insulin therapy is used as part of routine clinical practice in the intensive care unit, the incidence of CIP/CIM as determined by electrophysiologic testing is reduced. Our understanding of the mechanisms responsible for inducing prolonged weakness in intensive care unit patients is limited, and the role of hyperglycemia in modulating these processes is unknown. Intensive insulin therapy currently remains the only effective therapeutic intervention that has been shown to reduce the incidence of CIP/CIM.
Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Kentucky, L543 Kentucky Clinic, 740 South Limestone, Lexington, KY40536, USA. lacall2@email.uky.edu
Leigh Ann
LA
Callahan
Gerald S
GS
Supinski
D035843:Biomedical Research; D016638:Critical Illness; D006801:Humans; D006943:Hyperglycemia / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007328:Insulin / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D009135:Muscular Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D011115:Polyneuropathies / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000517:prevention & control
D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D007328:Insulin