Article

Critical illness polyneuropathy is a frequent complication of
critical illness in intensive care units. Reports on autonomic systems like lower
urinary tract and bowel functions in patients with CIP are not available in
medical literature. OBJECTIVE: This study performed during primary rehabilitation
of patients with critical illness polyneuropathy explores if sensory and motor
pathways controlling the lower urinary tract function are affected from the
disease. METHODS: Neurourological examinations, urodynamics, electromyography and
lower urinary tract imaging were performed in 28 patients with critical illness
polyneuropathy. DISCUSSION: Sacral sensation was impaired in 1 patient (4%).
Sacral reflexes were absent in 8 patients (30%). Anal sphincter resting tone was
reduced in 3 (12%), anal sphincter voluntary contraction was absent or reduced in
8 patients (30%). Urodynamic findings were detrusor overactivity and detrusor
overactivity incontinence in 9 (37.5%), incomplete voiding in 8 (30%), abnormal
sphincter activity in 4 (16%), abnormal bladder sensation in 4 (16%) and detrusor
acontractility in 2 patients (8.3%). Morphological abnormalities of the lower
urinary tract had 10 patients (41.6%). CONCLUSION: Sensory and motor pathways
controlling the lower urinary tract might be affected from CIP. During
urodynamics dysfunctions of the storage as well as the voiding phase were found.
Morphological lower urinary tract abnormalities were common.

Langue : ANGLAIS