title: Lifestyle risk factors for ulnar neuropathy and ulnar neuropathy-like symptoms.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We examined whether lifestyle factors differ between patients with ulnar neuropathy confirmed by electroneurography (ENG) and those with ulnar neuropathy-like symptoms with normal ulnar nerve ENG.
  
  
  METHODS
  Among patients examined by ENG for suspected ulnar neuropathy, we identified 546 patients with ulnar neuropathy and 633 patients with ulnar neuropathy-like symptoms. These groups were compared with 2 separate groups of matched community referents and to each other. Questionnaire information on lifestyle was obtained. The electrophysiological severity of neuropathy was also graded. We used conditional and unconditional logistic regression.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Responses were obtained from 59%. Ulnar neuropathy was related to smoking, adjusted odds ratio (OR) 4.31 (95% confidence interval [CI] 2.43-7.64) for >24 pack-years. Ulnar neuropathy-like symptoms were related to body mass index ≥30 kg/m(2), OR 1.99 (95% CI 1.25-3.19). Smoking was associated with increased severity of ulnar neuropathy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Findings suggest that smoking specifically affects the ulnar nerve.
authors: Danish Ramazzini Centre, Department of Occupational Medicine, Aarhus Hospital, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark.
authors: Poul
authors: P
authors: Frost
authors: Birger
authors: B
authors: Johnsen
authors: Anders
authors: A
authors: Fuglsang-Frederiksen
authors: Susanne W
authors: SW
authors: Svendsen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004568:Electrodiagnosis / Q000379:methods*; D055724:Electrophysiological Phenomena; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000453:epidemiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D020424:Ulnar Neuropathies / Q000145:classification / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology*
keywords: body mass index; neurophysiology; peripheral neuropathy; smoking; ulnar nerve