Nerve conduction studies in paucibacillary and multibacillary leprosy: a comparative evaluation

Involvement of peripheral nerves in patients with leprosy results in sensory, motor and autonomic dysfunctions along with deformities and disability. Pattern of nerve involvement is different for different forms of leprosy. In this study, we evaluated and compared the nerve conduction parameters of paucibacillary leprosy with that of multibacillary leprosy. In this study, 40 consecutive patients of leprosy (19 cases of paucibacillary and 21 cases of multibacillary leprosy) were included. Nerve conduction studies were performed according to the standard procedure described in the manual of the machine. We observed that patients with multibacillary leprosy had significantly more severe changes in nerve conduction parameters as compared to that of paucibacillary leprosy. In paucibacillary leprosy, the dominant pattern of nerve involvement was that of mononeuropathy, however, in 6 paucibacillary cases the nerve involvement was in form of mononeuritis multiplex. Electrophysiological assessment also revealed involvement of clinically uninvolved nerves. Nerve conduction parameters were suggestive of mixed axonal as well as demyelination of the peripheral nerves.