Critical Illness Polyneuropathy and Myopathy and Clinical Detection of the Recovery of Consciousness in Severe Acquired Brain Injury Patients with Disorders of Consciousness after Rehabilitation

Bahia Hakiki, Francesca Cecchi, Silvia Pancani, Anna Maria Romoli, Francesca Draghi, Maenia Scarpino, Raisa Sterpu, Andrea Mannini, Claudio Macchi, Antonello Grippo

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Background: Disorders of consciousness (DoCs) include unresponsive wakefulness syndrome (UWS) and minimally conscious state (MCS). Critical illness polyneuropathy and myopathy (CIPNM) is frequent in severe acquired brain injuries and impacts functional outcomes at discharge from the intensive rehabilitation unit (IRU). We investigated the prevalence of CIPNM in DoCs and its relationship with the consciousness assessment. Methods: Patients with DoCs were retrospectively selected from the database including patients admitted to the IRU of the IRCCS Don Gnocchi Foundation, Florence, from August 2012 to May 2020. Electroneurography/electromyography was performed at admission. Consciousness was assessed using the Coma Recovery Scale-Revised (CRS-R) at admission and discharge. Patients transitioning from a lower consciousness state to a higher one were classified as improved responsiveness (IR). Results: A total of 177 patients were included (UWS: 81 (45.8%); MCS: 96 (54.2%); 78 (44.1%) women; 67 years (IQR: 20). At admission, 108 (61.0%) patients had CIPNM. At discharge, 117 (66.1%) patients presented an IR. In the multivariate analysis, CRS-R at admission (p = 0.006; OR: 1.462) and CIPNM (p = 0.039; OR: −1.252) remained significantly associated with IR only for the UWS patients. Conclusions: CIPNM is frequent in DoCs and needs to be considered during the clinical consciousness assessment, especially in patients with UWS.

Original languageEnglish
Article number516
JournalDiagnostics
Volume12
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Feb 2022

Keywords

  • Coma Recovery Scale-Revised
  • Critical illness polyneuropathy and myopathy
  • Disorders of consciousness
  • Neurophysiology
  • Rehabilitation
  • Severe acquired brain injury

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Clinical Biochemistry

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