title: Glucocorticoid-induced myopathy in the intensive care unit.
abstract: Glucocorticoids (GC) are used for intensive care unit (ICU) patients on several indications. We present a patient who was admitted to the ICU due to severe respiratory failure caused by bronchospasm requiring mechanical ventilation and treated with methylprednisolone 240 mg/day in addition to antibiotics and bronchiolytics. When the sedation was lifted on day 10, the patient was awake but quadriplegic. Blood samples revealed elevated muscle enzymes, electromyography showed myopathy, and a muscle biopsy was performed. Glucocorticoid-induced myopathy was suspected, GC treatment was tapered, and muscle strength gradually returned. The patient made full recovery from the quadriplegia a few months later.
authors.affiliation: Department of Intensive Care Unit, Rigshospitalet, Glostrup, Denmark.
authors.forename: Heidi Shil
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Eddelien
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology, Rigshospitalet, Glostrup, Denmark.
authors.forename: Henrik Westy
authors.initials: HW
authors.lastname: Hoffmeyer
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Rigshospitalet, Blegdamsvej, Denmark.
authors.forename: Eva Løbner
authors.initials: EL
authors.lastname: Lund
authors.affiliation: Department of Intensive Care Unit, Rigshospitalet, Glostrup, Denmark.
authors.forename: Anne Øberg
authors.initials: AØ
authors.lastname: Lauritsen
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D008775:Methylprednisolone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009135:Muscular Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000201:enzymology; D011782:Quadriplegia / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D012121:Respiration, Artificial; D012131:Respiratory Insufficiency / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy
chemical_list: D005938:Glucocorticoids; D008775:Methylprednisolone