Influence of body mass index, height and hemoglobin A1c on nerve conduction study outcomes: a systematic review
Abstract
Background/Aim: Nerve conduction study (NCS) is a gold standard technique in assessment and diagnosis of nerve dysfunction. Despite diabetes and obesity are common accompaniment of peripheral neuropathy, their effects on NCS patterns have not been conclusively elucidated. Few studies have investigated contribution of biochemical and anthropometric factors as they affect interpretation of NCS. The aim of this study was to review the existing reports on the degree of correlation and impact of anthropometric and metabolic risk factors on NCS.
Methods: Systematic review.
Results: A total of 333 studies were searched of which 9 studies were included in this literature review, with three studies, each investigating the effects of BMI, height and glycaemic control on NCS outcomes. Glycaemic control was found to inversely correlate with nerve conduction velocity across both upper and lower limb nerve sites. This was also true when investigated as a categorical variable (p=<0.0001-0.03). Height also demonstrated a moderately inverse correlation to nerve conduction velocity in two studies (p= 0.01–0.05). However, BMI was found not to correlate with NCS outcomes.
Conclusions: Our results have shown that both glycaemic control and height influence NCS velocity and amplitude. The interpretation of NCS should therefore take these factors into consideration, possibly through the development of linear models accounting for height and HbA1c. These findings posit that improved glycaemic control would therefore also improve nerve conduction outcomes.
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