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
. 2014 May;30(3):501-6.
doi: 10.12669/pjms.303.5354.

The clinical & neurophysiological study of leprosy

Murat Cabalar  1 , Vildan Yayla  2 , Samiye Ulutas  3 , Songul Senadim  4 , Ayla Culha Oktar  5
Affiliations

The clinical & neurophysiological study of leprosy

Murat Cabalar et al. Pak J Med Sci. 2014 May.

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate neurological and neurophysiological features of leprosy.

Methods: Seventy seven hospitalized leprosy patients (52 male, 25 female) were examined neurological and neurophysiologically between 2010 and 2012. Standard procedures were performed for evaluating sensory and motor conduction studies to all patients. Motor studies were carried out on median, ulnar, tibial and common peroneal nerves. Sensory studies were carried out on median, ulnar and sural nerves. Sympathetic skin response (SSR) recordings on both hands and feet, and the heart rate (R-R) interval variation (RRIV) recordings on precordial region were done in order to evaluate the autonomic dysfunction.

Results: The mean age was 59.11±14.95 years ranging between 17 and 80 years. The mean duration of disease was 35.58±18.30 years. Clinically, the patients had severe deformity and disability. In neurophysiological examinations, sensory, motor conduction studies of the lower extremities were found to be more severely affected than upper, and sensory impairment predominated over motor. Abnormal SSRs were recorded in 63 (81.8%) cases of leprosy. Abnormal RRIVs were recorded in 41 (53.2%) cases and abnormal RRIVs with hyperventilation were recorded in 55 (71.4%) cases of leprosy. Significant differences were found between SSR and sensory conduction parameters of median, ulnar nerves as well as motor conduction parameters of median, ulnar and peroneal nerves (p<0.05).

Conclusion: Peripheral nervous system dysfunction is accompanied by autonomic nervous system dysfunction in leprosy patients. Sympathetic involvement may predominate over parasympathetic involvement.

Keywords: Disability; Leprosy; Neuropathy; Neurophysiology.

PubMed Disclaimer

Figures

Fig.1 (a-b)
Fig.1 (a-b)
Right hand 5th finger amputee and four fingers of left foot amputee
See this image and copyright information in PMC

Similar articles

See all similar articles

Cited by

References

    1. Aqrawal A, Pandit L, Dalal M, Shetty JP. Neurological manifestations of Hansen’s disease and their management. Clin Neurol Neurosurg. 2005;107(6):445–454. - PubMed
    1. Lockwood DNJ. Leprosy. In: Burns DA, Breathnach SM, Cox NH, Griffiths CEM, editors. Rook’s textbook of dermatology. 7th ed. Vol. 2. Oxford: Blackwell Publishing; 2004. pp. 29.1–29.21.
    1. Corrêa Rda G, Aquino DM, Caldas Ade J, Amaral DK, França FS, Mesquita ER. Epidemiological, clinical, and operational aspects of leprosy patients assisted at a referral service in the state of Maranhão, Brazil. Rev Soc Bras Med Trop. 2012;45(1):89–94. - PubMed
    1. IIIarramendi X, Bührer-Sékula S, Sales AM, Bakker MI, Oliveria A, Nery JA, et al. High prevalence of vasomotor reflex impairment in newly diagnosed leprosy patients. Eur J Clin Invest. 2005;35(10):658–665. - PubMed
    1. Ooi WW, Srinivasan J. Leprosy and the peripheral nervous system: basic and clinical aspects. Muscle Nerve. 2004;30(4):393–409. - PubMed

LinkOut - more resources