Electrodiagnostic (EDX) Predictors of Sensory Neuropathy in Primary Hypothyroidism and its Association with Age and Body Mass Index (BMI): A Cross Sectional Study

Background: Sensory neuropathy occurs in hypothyroidism often early as compared to motor. Involvement of median and sural nerve is reported earliest in literature. There is controversial electrophysiological data with respect to predictors of neuropathy and its association with age and body mass index. Objectives: Present study was aimed to find out EDX predictors of sensory neuropathy and its association with age and BMI in primary hypothyroidism patients. Materials and Method: Total 28 out of 39 hypothyroid cases referred to clinical neurophysiology laboratory were selected for analysis. These cases satisfied the biochemical and EDX criteria. Percentages of abnormalities in different variables of nerve conduction study were calculated. Also coefficient of correlation between age, BMI and different variables evaluated for association between them if any. Results: Study population was having age range from 23-75 years, 15 female and 13 male. Female preponderance was observed. Correlation between Age, BMI and different variables of NCV were statistically not significant. Sensory conduction velocity was most common abnormality observed (49%), followed by SNAP amplitude (42%) and onset latency (25%). Conclusion: We concluded that age and BMI have no effect on occurrence of neuropathy in primary hypothyroidism. Sensory Conduction velocity was most common predictor of sensory neuropathy in these cases.