Outcome and neurological sequelae of patients after tetanus

From 1969-1985, 106 people contracted tetanus in Finland. The outcome of the disease was good in 78 cases (returned to work), poor in 27 (12 died, 5 institutionalized and 10 retired) and unknown in 1. Poor outcome was the result of a disease requiring respirator treatment. Other clinical factors significantly correlated with poor outcome were blood pressure lability, hyperglycemia, hyperthermia, tachycardia and anticoagulation therapy. Forty people who were representative of the whole series with regard to sex, age and severity of disease attended a follow-up study on average 7 years and 4 months later. Forty age- and sex-matched controls had the same examinations, and compared with them, the 40 patients still had significantly more muscle fatigue and cramps, nervousness, decreased mental capacity and difficulties in balance, speech and memory. They also had more clinical findings, such as peripheral paresis, muscular atrophy, decreased or absent tendon reflexes and decreased mental capacity than the controls.