NERVE CONDUCTION STUDY AND ELECTROMYOGRAPHY IN PATIENTS WITH RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS

Abstract

Background: Standard neurological examination was found to be inadequate for diagnosing suspected early peripheral neuropathy in patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) though electrophysiological testing can be utilized for early diagnosis and defining the extent of peripheral nerve involvement. Objective: To evaluate nerve conduction study and electromyography in patients with rheumatoid arthritis complained of neuropathic symptoms. Patients and Methods: This study was carried out on thirty patients with clinical diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis who had neuropathic symptoms as tingling or burning sensation in any extremity. Also control group consisted of thirty patients with clinical diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis without evidence of peripheral neuropathy by history and examination. patient group subdivided into subgroup A (patients had neuropathic affection in nerve conduction study (NCS) and subgroup B (patient had normal findings in NCS). Results: There was a highly statistically significant difference between patient and control groups as regarding neurophysiological evidence of neuropathy. There was a statistically significant difference between sub groups A and B as regarding age of the patients. There was also a highly statistically significant difference between sub groups A and B as regarding abnormal findings in clinical examination. Conclusion:Possibility of presence of peripheral neuropathy in electrophysiological study in patients with rheumatoid arthritis who complained neuropathic symptoms was more than patients who didn’t complain. Electrophysiological studies should be included in the routine examination of rheumatoid arthritis patients for early detection of neurological involvement