Objective

Dysimmune encephalitis are neurologic diseases that are more and more diagnosed. Most of patients are young and active. Cognitive and behavior troubles can delay the diagnosis and can cause disability. Functional outcome is not routinely assessed. The aim of this study is to describe the activities and participation several months after the onset.

Materials/patients and methods

Four cases have been handled in the same multidisciplinary rehabilitation unit. To assess the disability, we used the Glasgow outcome scale extended (GOS-E) at 6 to 12 months after onset. Return to vocational integration, fatigue (FSS), impact (SIP) and quality of life (SF36) were also assessed.

Results

3 women and 1 man aged 25 to 64 at the onset. Diagnosis for dysimmune encephalitis took two to eight weeks. Patients were inpatients in our unit for 5 to 10 weeks. On admission, cognitive and behavioral dysexecutive syndrome, amnesic syndrome, attention disorders, seizures and sleep disorders were noted. Progress was always reported but not complete recovery. After discharge, more than 6 months after the first symptoms, GOS-e scored between 5 and 6. No patients had returned to work. Anxiety and cognitive trouble seem to be the more pronounced symptoms. Fatigue seems not to appear on the foreground.

Discussion/Conclusion

Dysimmune encephalitis can cause persistent neuropsychological impairments that can benefit from a PRM unit.