Asymptomatic median mononeuropathy among men with chronic paraplegia.
OBJECTIVE
To compare electrophysiologic abnormalities of the median nerve in asymptomatic paraplegic subjects and able-bodied controls and to examine the influence of personal factors on these parameters.


METHODS
Cross-sectional survey.


METHODS
University hospital.


METHODS
Forty-seven men with paraplegia and 36 able-bodied controls underwent nerve conduction studies on both upper limbs. All were free of hand numbness in the past month, diabetic mellitus, or neuromusculoskeletal injuries to the upper limbs.


METHODS
Not applicable.


METHODS
Nerve conduction studies of the bilateral median and ulnar nerves.


RESULTS
Although the 2 groups were of comparable age and had a similar body mass index (BMI), the subjects with paraplegia had a significantly higher proportion of asymptomatic median mononeuropathy than the controls (25.5% vs 5.6%, P=.02). The spinal cord injury (SCI) group had a prolonged median distal latency and a slowed digit-wrist sensory nerve conduction velocity. Multivariate general linear model analysis showed that prolonged motor and sensory latencies of the median nerve were associated with the SCI group and with greater BMI.


CONCLUSIONS
The asymptomatic subjects with paraplegia had a significantly higher frequency of median mononeuropathy than the able-bodied controls. There was also an association between BMI and distal latency of the median nerve.
Liang
Huey-Wen
HW
Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, National Taiwan University Hospital and National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan.
Wang
Yen-Ho
YH
Pan
Shin-Liang
SL
Wang
Tyng-Guey
TG
Huang
Tien-Shang
TS
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004568:Electrodiagnosis; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D020423:Median Neuropathy / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009431:Neural Conduction / Q000502:physiology; D010264:Paraplegia / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology; D012720:Severity of Illness Index