Incidence and onset of critical illness polyneuropathy in patients with septic shock

Background: To estimate the incidence and onset of critical illness polyneu ropathy (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 a dmitted to the ICU for treatment of septic shock were studied. Within 72 h of admission to the ICU a complete neurological examination and electromyog rafic studies were done. Studies were repeated weekly until discharge of IC U or death or CIP confirmed. Results: Nineteen patients developed CIP (76%), with a majority (80%) withi n 72 h after onset of septic shock. All twenty-two patients with multi orga n 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 inciden ce of CIP is high (76%). The onset is early, within 72 h after onset of sep tic shock. CIP is an early feature of MODS, developing after septic shock. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.