RECOVERY OF SIT-TO-STAND FUNCTION IN PATIENTS WITH INTENSIVECARE-UNIT-ACQUIRED MUSCLE WEAKNESS: RESULTS FROM THE GENERAL WEAKNESS SYNDROME THERAPY COHORT STUDY

• Published in: Journal of rehabilitation medicine Vol. 48; no. 9; p. 793
• Main Authors: Thomas, Simone, Burridge, Jane H, Pohl, Marcus, Oehmichen, Frank, Mehrholz, Jan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Uppsala Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine 01-10-2016
• Subjects: Acquired; Cohort analysis; Functional status; Intensive care; Patients; Recovery; Recovery (Medical); Rehabilitation; Selection criteria; Strength; Time course; Treatment programs; Ventilation
• ISSN: 1650-1977
• DOI: 10.2340/16501977-2135

Objectives: To describe the time course of recovery of sit-tostand function in patients with intensive-care-unit-acquired muscle weakness and the impact of recovery. Methods: A cohort study in post-acute intensive care unit and rehabilitation units. Patients with chronic critical illness and intensive-care-unit-acquired muscle weakness were included. Sit-to-stand function was measured daily, using a standardized chair height, defined as 120% of the individual's knee height. Results: A total of 150 patients were recruited according to the selection criteria. The primary outcome of independent sit-to-stand function was achieved by a median of 56 days (interquartile range Q1-Q3=32-90 days) after rehabilitation onset and a median of 113 days (Q1-Q3=70-148 days) after onset of illness. The final multivariate model for recovery of sit-to-stand function included 3 variables: age (adjusted hazard ratio (HR)=0.96 (95% CI 0.94-0.99), duration of ventilation (HR=0.99 (95% CI 0.98-1.00) and Functional Status Score for the Intensive Care Unit (FSS-ICU) (adjusted HR=1.12 (95% CI 1.08-1.16)). Conclusion: Rapid recovery of sit-to-stand function for most patients with intensive-care-unit-acquired muscle weakness was seen. The variables older age and longer duration of ventilation decreased, and higher FSS-ICU increased the chance of regaining independent sit-to-stand function.