Peripheral neuropathy in Nigerian subjects with chronic renal failure

Chronic Renal Failure (CRF) is common in Nigeria and has a high prevalence in the young age groups. While peripheral neuropathy is reported to be the commonest neurological complication in patients with CRF, its frequency and nature have not been documented in Nigerian subjects. The unavailable or expensive intervention measures in Nigeria make it imperative to consider all presenting features of CRF in order to improve its morbidity.

Twenty-one subjects with chronic renal failure at the University College Hospital, Ibadan, were studied. Chronic renal failure was confirmed by ultrasound scan, urea and creatinine values, 24 hour urinary creatinine values and clinical features of uraemia of more than 6 months. Excluded were subjects with diabetes mellitus, alcoholism, etc. All subjects had full neurological examination done and peripheral neuropathy was taken as the presence of two or more abnormal findings on peripheral nervous system examination.

Peripheral neuropathy was documented in 6 (28.5%) of the subjects. The finding of peripheral neuropathy was associated with older age of subjects and longer duration of illness. It was not related to the serum levels of urea or creatinine.

Peripheral neuropathy occurs in Nigerian CRF patients and is related to longer duration of illness, but not to prevailing serum urea or creatinine levels. Morbidity could be improved in these patients irrespective of severity of renal function if the symptoms of peripheral neuropathy are detected and treated.