Leprous Neuropathy: Observational Study Highlighting the Role of Electrophysiology in Early Diagnosis

Background Worldwide leprosy is a common cause of peripheral neuropathy. Electrophysiology is underutilized in its diagnosis. Objective This study aims to evaluate the usefulness of electrophysiological study in the diagnosis of leprous neuropathy. Materials and Methods Clinical and electrophysiological abnormalities of 36 histopathology proven leprosy patients from January 2015 to January 2017 were studied. Statistical Analysis Proportions were compared by Chi-square test. Results Total patients were 36. Thirty-four patients had abnormal electrophysiology and 34 had neurological deficits like weakness, sensory changes, and thickening. By clinical examination, multiple nerve involvement (motor weakness, sensory changes, and nerve thickening) occurred in 29, single nerve in 5, and no nerve involvement in 2. With electrophysiology, multiple nerve involvement (mononeuritis multiplex) was present in 32, single nerve in 2, and normal conduction parameters in 2. From the 36 patients, a total of 1,008 nerves were subjected to clinical examination and 132 were picked up clinically as affected, (13.1%). Electrophysiological study was done in 504 nerves, and 215 were found to be involved, (43%). Nerve abnormality detected by electrophysiology is significantly higher than clinical detection. (Chi-square =164.4054; p = 0.0000). Clinically, the most commonly affected nerve was unar (27) and the least affected was median (2) nerve. Electrophysiology detected 69% of nerves with demyelination and 35% of nerves with axonal features (mosaic pattern). Discussion There was subclinical neuropathy with electroclinical dissociation, as evidenced by more abnormality in electrophysiology than clinical examination. The nerve involvement was mononeuritis or mononeuritis multiplex pattern, both clinically and electrophysiologically. Electrophysiology showed both axonal and demyelinating nerve involvement (mosaic pattern). All the three features are present in leprous neuropathy. In corollary, if a patient has these electrophysiological features, he should be thoroughly investigated for leprosy. Conclusion Triple findings, such as subclinical neuropathy with electroclinical dissociation, mononeuritis multiplex, and mosaic pattern of demyelination and axonopathy, suggest leprous neuropathy

A Comparison of Neuropathy Quality of Life Tools: Norfolk QOL-DN, PN-QOL-97, and NeuroQOL-28

Aims To explore the effectiveness of the Norfolk QOL-DN (QOL-DN), PN-QOL-97, and NeuroQOL-28 as tools for early detection of diabetic peripheral neuropathy in overweight, obese, and inactive (OOI), prediabetes (PD), and type 2 diabetes (T2D) individuals. Methods Thirty-four adults were divided by A1C [(10 OOI, 13 PD, and 11 T2D] and the sural nerves were tested bilaterally via NC-Stat DPN Check, conducting a sural nerve conduction study (NCS). Participants were individually timed, filling out questionnaires (QOL-DN, NeuroQOL-28, and PN-QOL-97) at a self-selected pace. Data were analyzed and compared to NCS findings to determine the best instrument for early neuropathy detection, usability in screening settings, and application for individuals with OOI, PD, and T2D. Results Abnormal NCS results were obtained from 27 individuals, of which 25 were bilateral and symmetrical. Confirmed DSPN criteria were met for 24, and 1 case met criteria for subclinical neuropathy. Normal NCS findings, reported symptoms, and reduced bilateral sensation were found in 7 cases. The QOL-DN and NeuroQOL-28 significantly predict neuropathy criteria in OOI, PD, and T2D subjects. Analyses revealed the QOL-DN as the quickest for completion (M=5.17; SD=1.83), followed by the NeuroQOL-28 (M=5.58; SD=3.56), and the PN-QOL-97 (M=13.23; SD=3.606). Conclusions The QOL-DN and NeuroQOL-28 are valid early screening measures for DPN detection. Time completion studies revealed that the QOL-DN and NeuroQOL-28 may be used as excellent short screening measures, completed in approximately 6 minutes or less, with reasonable scoring for both. The NeuroQOL-28 is a better fit for immediate feedback, time constraints, or limited staff. Future investigations should evaluate these tools for detection in DPN-prone individuals and in subclinical populations screenings.

A Cross-sectional Study on Electrophysiological Evaluation of Neuropathy in Rheumatoid Arthritis

Introduction: Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is a chronic multisystem immune mediated disease. Rheumatoid associated neuropathy causes significant disability and adds to the economic burden. Aim: To assess clinical determinants of peripheral neuropathy (diagnosed electrophysiologically using nerve conduction studies) among patients with RA. Additionally, it was also aimed to study the various patterns of peripheral neuropathy in patients with RA. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 100 consecutive adult patients with RA between 01stFebruary, 2020 to 02nd January, 2021 at medicine and neurology departments of SMS Medical College and Hospital, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were followed and eligible patients after appropriate laboratory evaluation underwent nerve conduction studies. Statistical analysis was performed using student’s unpaired t-test and Chi-square test for continuous and categorical variables respectively. Results: Mean age of the study population was 42.4±14.2 years with 88 females and 12 males. Mean duration of RA was 7.0±7.4 years. Nerve conduction studies detected neuropathy in 18 patients, of these only four patients were symptomatic with tingling, pins and needles sensation and numbness. Fourteen patients had subclinical neuropathy. Patients with neuropathy had significantly longer disease duration (p=0.0001), were older (p=0.014) with more joint deformities (p=0.0008). Conclusion: Subclinical neuropathy is not infrequent in RA patients. Those with advanced age, longer disease duration, higher Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR), erosions and deformities should be assessed electrophysiologically for neuropathy.

High resolution ultrasound in subclinical diabetic neuropathy: A potential screening tool

Introduction Detection of subclinical neuropathy can aid in triage, timely intervention and dedicated care to reduce disease progression and morbidity. High resolution sonography has emerged as a promising technique for evaluation of peripheral nerves. The aim of the present study was to assess the utility of high resolution sonography in screening diabetic patients for subclinical neuropathy. Methods A total of 70 adult patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and 30 controls were enrolled; those with clinical features of neuropathy constituted the diabetic polyneuropathy group and those without symptoms/normal nerve conduction the non-diabetic polyneuropathy group. After institutional ethical committee approval and informed consent, high resolution sonography was performed by two musculoskeletal radiologists. Nerves studied were median (elbow and wrist), ulnar (cubital tunnel and Guyon’s canal), common peroneal (fibular head) and posterior tibial nerve (medial malleolus).The size (cross sectional area), shape, echogenicity and morphology of nerve were assessed and compared between the groups. Results The mean cross sectional area of all nerves was significantly higher both in diabetic polyneuropathy and non-diabetic polyneuropathy group compared to controls (p value < .001). Common peroneal nerve cross sectional area of 4.5 mm2 had the highest sensitivity (93%) and specificity (86%) for detecting nerve changes in the non-diabetic polyneuropathy group. The nerves were more rounded, hypoechoic and had an altered morphology in both study groups. Conclusion Presence of sonographic nerve changes in asymptomatic diabetics depicted that morphological alterations in nerves precede clinical symptoms. High resolution sonography detected nerve changes with a good accuracy, and thus, can be a potential screening tool for detection of subclinical diabetic polyneuropathy.

Clinical and electrophysiological correlation of peripheral neuropathy in newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus

Background: The study was undertaken to evaluate the prevalence of peripheral neuropathy in newly diagnosed type2 Diabetes mellitus (DM) by clinical examination and nerve conduction study (NCS), and to correlate them with risk factors.Methods: Eighty newly detected cases of type2DM of age ≥18 years attending Endocrinology Department of Gauhati Medical College and Hospital, Assam, India were evaluated. Grading of symptoms and signs was done using the Neuropathy Symptoms Score (NSS) and Neuropathy Disability Score (NDS) respectively followed by NCS. Neuropathy was diagnosed based on abnormal NSS, NDS or NCS.Results: Prevalence of peripheral neuropathy was 68.75 % based on abnormal NCS/NDS/NCS. The most common symptom was presence of paraesthesia in 70.9%, followed by weakness in lower limbs in 16.36%. The most common sign was impairment of vibration perception in 76.3%, followed by absent ankle reflex in 56.36%. Abnormal NCS finding was seen in 55% of patients with neuropathy. Of all the patients with neuropathy, only 2.5% had subclinical neuropathy that is abnormal NCS finding in absence of sign and symptoms. Peripheral neuropathy had significant association with age at diagnosis, presence of hypertension, fasting plasma glucose(FPG), HbA1c, serum creatinine and estimated glomerular filtration rate(eGFR) (p<0.05). On multiple linear regression analysis, only age at diagnosis and FPG were independently associated with neuropathy (p<0.05).Conclusions: Patients with type 2DM have a high prevalence of peripheral neuropathy at diagnosis and very few of them harbour subclinical neuropathy. This study has shown that clinical examination still remains the main tool for detection of neuropathy.

Brachial Plexus Blockade Causes Subclinical Neuropathy

Background: The objective of this study is to determine subclinical changes in hand sensation after brachial plexus blocks used for hand surgery procedures. We used Semmes-Weinstein monofilament testing to detect these changes. We hypothesized that patients undergoing brachial plexus nerve blocks would have postoperative subclinical neuropathy detected by monofilament testing when compared with controls. Methods: In total, 115 hand surgery adult patients were prospectively enrolled in this study. All patients undergoing nerve-related procedures were excluded as well as any patients with preoperative clinically apparent nerve deficits. Eighty-four patients underwent brachial plexus blockade preoperatively, and 31 patients underwent general anesthesia (GA). Semmes-Weinstein monofilament testing of the hand was performed preoperatively on both the operative and nonoperative extremities and postoperatively at a mean of 11 days on both hands. Preoperative and postoperative monofilament testing scores were compared between the block hand and the nonoperated hand of the same patient, as well as between the block hands and the GA-operated hands. Results: There were no recorded clinically relevant neurologic complications in the block group or GA group. A statistically significant decrease in sensation in postoperative testing in the operated block hand compared with the nonoperated hand was noted. When comparing the operated block hand with the operated GA hand, there was a decrease in postoperative sensation in the operated block hand that did not reach statistical significance. Conclusions: Brachial plexus blockade causes subtle subclinical decreases in sensibility at short-term follow-up, without any clinically relevant manifestations.