Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2006 Jan-Mar;175(1):54-6.
doi: 10.1007/BF03169002.

How well is peripheral neuropathy investigated? An audit from a regional neurophysiology department

S Murphy  1 , B McNamara
Affiliations

How well is peripheral neuropathy investigated? An audit from a regional neurophysiology department

S Murphy et al. Ir J Med Sci. 2006 Jan-Mar.

Abstract

Background: Peripheral neuropathy (PN) is common and increases with age.

Aim: To assess how patients with confirmed peripheral neuropathy on nerve conduction studies (NCS) were investigated and to determine whether there was any difference in investigation based on patient age or referral source.

Design: Retrospective audit.

Methods: All EMG/NCS reports from a one-year period were analysed. The computer laboratory system was used to determine which blood tests had been performed on those patients with confirmed peripheral neuropathy on NCS.

Results: Over 50% of patients referred from within the hospital did not have a basic blood screen to search for the aetiology. There was no significant difference in investigation practise based on patient age or referral source.

Conclusion: Our results highlight the lack of systematic investigation in a university teaching hospital. As a result of this audit, a protocol has been prepared and is distributed with NCS/EMG reports.

PubMed Disclaimer

References

    1. Muscle Nerve. 2002 Aug;26(2):288-90 - PubMed
    1. Semin Neurol. 1998;18(1):7-18 - PubMed
    1. Acta Neurol Scand. 1991 Sep;84(3):221-5 - PubMed
    1. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 2003 Jun;74 Suppl 2:ii3-ii8 - PubMed
    1. Postgrad Med J. 1999 Dec;75(890):723-7 - PubMed

LinkOut - more resources