Nerve conduction study in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Fourty six patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD), mean age 62.63±7.41, were studied to determine the effect of chronic respiratory insufficiency on penpheral sensory and motor nerve conduction. 13% of patients showed clinical symptomps or signs suggestive of neuropathy. Abnormal nerve conduction studles were found in 35% of patients suggesting a predominantly distal and sensory neuropathy of demyelinating type. Age, degree of hypoxemia, duration of disease and cigarette consumption did not significantly correlate with slowing of nerve conduction velocities. These electrophysiologic results are suggestive of a predominantly clistal and sensory neuropathy of demyelinating type that is in agreement with literature knowledge.