Peripheral neuropathy in multiple sclerosis: a clinical and electrophysiologic study

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Neurophysiology
• Peripheral Nervous System Disorders

Background:

• Peripheral nerve abnormalities are rare in Multiple Sclerosis (MS), typically linked to advanced disease stages or treatments.
• This study investigates neuropathy in mildly disabled MS patients with sensory complaints.

Purpose of the Study:

• To prospectively evaluate the frequency and characteristics of peripheral neuropathy in mildly disabled MS patients.
• To correlate electrophysiologic findings with clinical presentation and disease parameters.

Main Methods:

• Prospective evaluation of 22 MS patients with sensory complaints.
• Utilized Neuropathy Symptom Score (NSS), clinical examination, and electrophysiologic studies of peripheral nerves (ulnar, median, tibial, peroneal, sural).
• Neuropathy defined by electrophysiologic abnormalities in at least two peripheral nerves.

Main Results:

• Electrophysiologic abnormalities were detected in 14.7% of nerves examined and in 45.5% of patients.
• Common findings included prolonged F-wave response and low motor amplitude in the peroneal nerve, slow sensory conduction velocities, and prolonged distal latencies in ulnar and sural nerves.
• Mild neuropathic symptoms did not correlate with electrophysiologic findings; age, disease duration, and disability (EDSS) were not associated with neuropathy.

Conclusions:

• A high frequency of sensory-motor neuropathy exists in selected MS patients, even with mild disability.
• Peripheral neuropathy should be considered in MS patients presenting with sensory complaints, irrespective of disease duration or disability.
• Electrophysiologic assessment is crucial for detecting subclinical neuropathy in MS.