Abstract:Objective To investigate the incidence of paroxysmal sympathetic hyperactivity (PSH) in patients with chronic disorders of consciousness, and its relationship with the degree of consciousness disturbance and influence on consciousness.Methods A total of 126 patients with chronic disorders of consciousness were retrospectively reviewed, and divided into PSH group and control group according to clinical characteristics. The Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) was evaluated at one year after disease onset. Sex, age, injury mechanisms, Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score, Coma Recovery Scale-Revised (CRS-R) score, electroencephalogram results based on Synek's classification, the duration of intensive care unit (ICU) stay, and GOS score were compared between the two groups.Results PSH occurred in 26.19% (33/126) of the patients with chronic disorders of consciousness. Eighty-three patients completed follow-up, with 26 in the PSH group and 57 in the control group. The PSH group had significantly younger age (35.19±13.11 vs 42.86±16.17 years), lower GOS score (1.88±0.99 vs 2.53±1.36), and fewer patients with recovery of consciousness (6 cases, 23.08% vs 28 cases, 49.12%) compared with the control group (P<0.05). There were no significant differences in sex, injury mechanisms, GCS score, CRS-R score, electroencephalogram grade, and the duration of ICU stay between the two groups (P>0.05).Conclusions PSH is a common complication in patients with chronic disorders of consciousness, with a relatively young age of onset, and can hinder recovery of consciousness.