Normative data of F-wave measures in China.
OBJECTIVE
To establish normal ranges of F-wave measures in China as compared to published data in Brazil and Japan.


METHODS
We studied F waves in 127 healthy Chinese subjects, aged 21-78 years old, stimulating the median, ulnar, tibial and peroneal nerves distally and proximaly.


RESULTS
The F-wave latencies had a linear correlation to the subject height in all nerves tested, showing a steeper (P < 0.05) regression line in Brazil compared to China and Japan for the tibial nerve. The Chinese population also had a higher distally elicited F-wave persistence and faster F wave conduction velocities than previously reported for both ulnar and tibial nerves. These values showed significant difference (P < 0.05) compared to Brazil but not to Japan.


CONCLUSIONS
F-wave latencies show a linear correlation to subject height, although the slope of regression lines varies among countries, reflecting the difference in F-wave persistence and F-wave conduction velocity.


CONCLUSIONS
Our study provides a rational for the use of a latency-height nomogram in clinical studies and underscores the importance of developing country specific normative data.
Department of Neurology, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100050, China.
Hua
H
Pan
Jinxi
J
Lin
Na
N
Chen
Fan
F
Jian
Zaiqiang
Z
Zhang
Zeyu
Z
Ding
Yongjun
Y
Wang
João Antonio Maciel
JA
Nobrega
Nobuo
N
Kohara
Liying
L
Cui
Jun
J
Kimura
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000465:Algorithms; D000870:Anterior Horn Cells / Q000502:physiology*; D044466:Asian People; D001938:Brazil; D002681:China; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D055724:Electrophysiological Phenomena; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009431:Neural Conduction; D009460:Neurologic Examination / Q000592:standards; D010525:Peripheral Nerves / Q000502:physiology; D012016:Reference Values; D011984:Sensory Receptor Cells / Q000502:physiology; D013979:Tibial Nerve / Q000502:physiology; D014459:Ulnar Nerve / Q000502:physiology; D055815:Young Adult