CORRELATION OF SMOKING INDEX WITH THE MOTOR NERVE CONDUCTION STUDY IN MILD, MODERATE AND HEAVY SMOKERS

Dr Jyoti Arora; Dr Jyotsna Gumashta; Dr S.K.Sadawarte

Volume : VII, Issue : V, May - 2018

CORRELATION OF SMOKING INDEX WITH THE MOTOR NERVE CONDUCTION STUDY IN MILD, MODERATE AND HEAVY SMOKERS

Dr Jyoti Arora, Dr Jyotsna Gumashta, Dr S. K. Sadawarte

Abstract :

Tobacco use, and in particular smoking, is the largest cause of preventable death among adults in India, as it is globally. Already 1 in 5 of all adult male deaths and 1 in 20 of all adult female deaths at ages 30–69 are due to smoking. Higher carboxyhemoglobin levels in the circulating blood found in smokers leads to slowing of nerve conduction by its direct action over the myelin sheath. Nicotine too has a direct effect on the myelin sheath. Previous studies have found sensory neuropathy in smokers. Smokers. But motor neuropathy is not diagnosed until the appearance of symptoms and is not yet an established fact. We performed Nerve Conduction Study (NCS) on motor nerves of both upper and lower limbs among mild, moderate and heavy smokers as well as in non–smokers. Motor nerve conduction velocity (MNCV) and Compound Muscle action potential (amplitude) of peripheral motor nerves in both upper & lower limbs are significantly reduced in smokers as compared to non–smokers and distal latency is also highly significantly prolonged in smokers. The results have also revealed dose–response relationship with the smoking. Hence, Nerve conduction studies can diagnose neuropathic changes even before the appearance of frank neuropathy in smokers. < clear="all" style="page–eak–before:always; mso–eak–type:section–eak" />