[Incidence of polyneuropathies in chronic obstructive bronchopneumopathies]

In a prospective study 43 patients with chronic obstructive lung disease and severe respiratory insufficiency were systematically investigated for polyneuropathy, although they had no risk factor of that disease. Electrophysiological recordings showed slight or significant signs of polyneuropathy in 17 and 15 patients respectively, thus indicating that the condition is frequent. Clinically, it was often silent or manifested only by sensory disorders predominant in the lower limbs. Electrophysiology suggested axonal degeneration associated with some degree of demyelinization, and these lesions were found at histology to be present in sensory nerves. Histological examination of the muscles showed peripheral mixed neurogenic atrophy probably due to hypoxia. Major thickening of basal material was observed in capillaries of the endomysium and endoneurium. Statistical analysis of clinical parameters and respiratory function values in relation to the presence and importance of polyneuropathy showed that the only significant difference was the longer duration of hypoxia in patients with nerve involvement. Age, alcoholism and the other respiratory function values did not seem to be correlated with lesions of the peripheral nervous system.