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Lifestyle risk factors for ulnar neuropathy and ulnar neuropathy‐like symptoms
Author(s) -
Frost Poul,
Johnsen Birger,
FuglsangFrederiksen Anders,
Svendsen Susanne W.
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
muscle and nerve
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.025
H-Index - 145
eISSN - 1097-4598
pISSN - 0148-639X
DOI - 10.1002/mus.23820
Subject(s) - ulnar neuropathy , medicine , ulnar nerve , odds ratio , peripheral neuropathy , confidence interval , body mass index , surgery , diabetes mellitus , elbow , endocrinology
: 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. Muscle Nerve 48 : 507–515, 2013