Peripheral Neuropathy in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: Clinical and Electrophysiological Properties and their Association with Disease Activity Parameters.
OBJECTIVE
To study clinical and electrophysiological properties of peripheral neuropathy (PN) in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and their association with disease activity parameters.


METHODS
A hospital-based observational study done among 50 SLE patients after informed consent. History and clinical examination including a detailed neurological examination was carried out. Blood and urine investigation were done and modified SLE disease activity index (SLEDAI)-2000 score was calculated.


RESULTS
PN was found in 18 out of 50 (36%) SLE cases as defined electrophysiologically, nine had clinical and nine had subclinical neuropathy. On nerve conduction studies (NCS) 17 patients had axonal pattern. There were significant difference for mean ESR in patients with neuropathy (64.17 ± 42.43 mm/1st hour) and without neuropathy (42.34 ± 27.68 mm/1st hour) (P 0.033) and for mean modified SLEDAI-2000 of patients with neuropathy (15.61 ± 10.09) and without neuropathy (6.84 ± 6.16) (P < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
The study suggests significant association of peripheral neuropathy in SLE patients with ESR, modified SLEDAI-2000, pyuria, pleurisy and leucopenia.
Professor, Department of Medicine, In-charge Rheumatology Clinic, MG Medical College.
Renu
R
Saigal
Senior Resident.
Rajat
R
Bhargav
Assistant Professor, Consultant Rheumatology Services.
Laxmikant
L
Goyal
Associate Professor.
Abhishek
A
Agrawal
Professor.
Pradeep
P
Mital
Medical Officer, Department of Medicine, SMS Medical College, Jaipur, Rajasthan.
Dileep
D
Wadhwani
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001799:Blood Sedimentation; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007194:India / Q000453:epidemiology; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009431:Neural Conduction; D010523:Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D000071075:Small Fiber Neuropathy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D014657:Vasculitis; D055815:Young Adult