F101. Effect of gender on nerve conduction studies parameters in healthy individuals

Abstract

Introduction Nerve conduction studies (NCS) are electrodiagnostic tests which are used to evaluate the ability of the conduction of the motor and sensory nerves. Nerve conduction studies assist in the evaluation of neuromuscular diseases by providing a physiologic assessment of the peripheral nerve, muscle, neuromuscular junction, dorsal root ganglion cell and anterior horn cell. Among the various factors affecting nerve conduction gender has effect on latency, amplitude and conduction velocity of motor and sensory nerves. Methods The study was conducted on 50 (m = 25; f = 25) age matched healthy individuals of 18–24 age group. The compound muscle action potential (CMAP) and sensory nerve action potential (SNAP) were recorded in Department of Physiology, Kathmandu University School of Medical Sciences. Results Males had higher CMAP amplitude, longer latencies and duration. SNAP latencies and duration were longer in males whereas amplitude was higher in females. Conclusion Gender has definite effects on NCS variables and the effects are not similar in motor and sensory nerves.