Effects of gender and age on median and ulnar nerve sensory responses over ring finger

Abstract

ObjectiveTo analyze the effect of gender on median nerve (MN) and ulnar nerve (UN) sensorial responses over ring finger (RF). Materials and methodsResults of individuals admitted to our ENMG laboratory between June 2011 and March 2012 for nerve conduction studies (NCSs) were retrospectively analyzed. Sensory NCSs were performed by standard antidromic technique. ResultsTotally, 112 normal recordings belong to 100 patients were included. Mean antidromic sensory conduction velocity of MNs (wrist-to-second finger) or UNs (wrist-to-fifth finger) was not different between two genders. Mean sensory nerve action potential (SNAP) amplitude of MN from second finger was also not different between two genders. However, mean SNAP amplitude of UN from fifth finger was higher in females. In RF’s sensorial response studies; mean peak latency of MN was similar between females and males (3.05±0.25ms vs. 3.14±0.29ms, p=0.111), whereas one of UN was shorter in females (2.86±0.22ms vs. 3.04±0.31ms, p=0.001). MN to UN latency difference to RF was greater in females than males (0.19±0.15ms vs. 0.10±0.16ms, p=0.007). Mean SNAP amplitude of MN and UN were both higher in females than males (17.9±7.1μV vs. 14.1±5.5μV, p=0.011 and 18.5±8.0μV vs. 12.9±6.1μV, p=0.0009, respectively). All data of NCSs were re-analyzed after adjustment for age, and obtained findings regarding effect of aging are also included. ConclusionGender has a prominent effect on RF’s sensorial responses. Normative values regarding them should be prepared with adjustment for gender.