Neuropathy in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a multicentre electrophysiological and clinical study

The incidence and type of neuropathy in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) were assessed. In a selected group of 89 patients, abnormal nerve conduction studies were found in 44%. Electrophysiological signs of a generalized peripheral neuropathy were found in 5-18%, depending on diagnostic criteria. Lesions which were thought to be due to compression or other forms of trauma were present in a further 24%. In the patients with peripheral neuropathy, the changes were distally predominant, affected mainly sensory fibres, and were consistent with an axonal type of neuropathy. There was a significant correlation between age and the incidence of peripheral neuropathy. Electrophysiological evidence of neuropathy was three times as common as clinical evidence. Much of the variation in the reported incidence of neuropathy in COPD is probably due to imprecise diagnostic criteria.