Cura A, Tozzi W, Ali M, Amoza RL, Areas L, Bataglia G, Brusco A, Cagnola C, Chiavaro I, Esperon FL, Ferrario A, Ferrero M, Garcia Reid C, Garegnani LI, Muhafara G, Novo MN, Prieto L, Savio P, Simioni MB, Tocalini P, Villarruel M, Virgilio SA, Verde G y Vicente A*.
Introduction: Intensive Care Unit Acquired Weakness (ICUAW) is a syndrome of generalized limb weakness and compromise of the respiratory system. The reported incidence varies in 26–65 % of patients who were mechanically ventilated for 5–7 days, respectively. The information regarding the evolution and characteristics of these patients in our country is scarce.
Objective: To describe the epidemiological characteristics, prevalence and variables of patients with invasive mechanical ventilation for
over 72 hours that developed ICUAW, evaluated with Medical Research Council, in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the Acute General Hospital “Parmenio Pinero”.
Materials and Methods: A descriptive, retrospective and cross-sectional study was conducted between first of July 2012 and June 30, 2015. Patients with Invasive Mechanical Ventilation (IMV) were included for more than 72 hours and who met the criteria for the evaluation of the ICUAW.
Results: A total of 666 patients were admitted to the ICU and 213 patients were evaluated for ICUAW, presenting a prevalence of 30, 52% (65/213). The patients with ICUAW presented greater age (p= 0, 0001), were predominantly female (53, 85%; p= 0,038), had longer days of invasive mechanical ventilation (p= 0, 00004) and length of stay in the hospital (p= 0, 00004). Regarding ICU and hospital mortality no statistically significant differences were found.
Conclusion: The prevalence found of ICUAW was 30, 52%. This subgroup was predominantly female and older with respect to patients without
ICUAW. The subjects with this entity presented greater length of stay in the hospital, IMV days, rates of delirium and VAP.
