Year: 2026 | Month: November | Volume: 16 | Issue: 11 | Pages: 12-19
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52403/ijhsr.20261102
Critical Care Illness Polyneuropathy in ICU Patients on Mechanical Ventilation
Lamat Un Noor1, Prashant Sudam Dhumal2
1Assistant Professor, Department of Medicine, Govt. Medical College and Hospital, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (Aurangabad), Maharashtra 431004, India.
2Assistant Professor, Department of Medicine, Govt. Medical College and Hospital, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (Aurangabad), Maharashtra 431004, India.
Corresponding Author: Lamat Un Noor
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Critical illness polyneuropathy (CIP) is an important neuromuscular complication of severe critical illness and prolonged mechanical ventilation. It may contribute to difficulty in weaning, prolonged ICU stay, and adverse clinical outcomes. This study evaluated the incidence of CIP and its association with clinical factors and outcomes in mechanically ventilated ICU patients.
Materials and Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted among 150 adult ICU patients requiring mechanical ventilation. Demographic and clinical characteristics, APACHE II and SOFA scores, sepsis, septic shock, corticosteroid and neuromuscular blocker exposure, VAP, duration of mechanical ventilation and weaning, reintubation, tracheostomy, ICU and hospital stay, and mortality were assessed. CIP was diagnosed using electrophysiological nerve conduction and electromyographic findings. Patients with and without CIP were compared using appropriate statistical tests, with p<0.05 considered statistically significant.
Results: CIP was identified in 52 (34.7%) patients. Sepsis (80.8% vs. 62.2%, p=0.02), septic shock (46.2% vs. 23.5%, p=0.005), higher APACHE II and SOFA scores (p<0.001), corticosteroid use (p=0.01), neuromuscular blocker use (p=0.04), and VAP (p=0.04) were significantly associated with CIP. CIP was associated with longer mechanical ventilation and weaning duration (p<0.001), higher weaning failure, reintubation and tracheostomy rates, and prolonged ICU and hospital stay (p<0.001). Mortality was higher but not statistically significant.
Conclusion: CIP was frequent among mechanically ventilated ICU patients and was associated with greater illness severity, prolonged ventilatory support, difficult weaning, and longer ICU and hospital stay.
Key words: Critical illness polyneuropathy; Mechanical ventilation; Sepsis; Weaning failure; Intensive care unit.