Peripheral sensory and motor abnormalities in patients with multiple sclerosis

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Neurophysiology

Background:

• Peripheral nerve abnormalities are infrequently observed in multiple sclerosis (MS), often attributed to secondary factors.
• Previous reports suggest a potential link between MS and neuropathy, warranting further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the prevalence and characteristics of peripheral nerve involvement in patients with multiple sclerosis.
• To determine if peripheral nerve abnormalities are a common finding in MS beyond factors related to disease severity.

Main Methods:

• Nerve conduction velocities (NCV) and amplitudes were assessed in sensory and motor nerves of the upper and lower extremities.
• 20 definite MS patients (Poser Scale criteria) and 15 healthy controls were included, examining 91 nerves in patients and 69 in controls.

Main Results:

• Electrophysiological abnormalities, including low ulnar and sural nerve amplitudes and slow tibial and sural nerve NCV, were observed in 16.5% of nerves in the MS group.
• Abnormalities were found in 15 out of 91 examined nerves in MS patients, compared to 2.9% in controls.
• No association was found between the degree of neurological disability and the presence of electrophysiological abnormalities.

Conclusions:

• A notable frequency of sensory-motor electrophysiological nerve abnormalities exists in selected multiple sclerosis patients.
• Electromyographers should consider these potential peripheral nerve findings during routine examinations of MS patients.