PERIPHERAL NEUROPATHY AMONG SUFFERERS OF LIVER CIRRHOSIS

Objective: To determine the peripheral neuropathy among sufferers of liver cirrhosis Methodology:- This was a observational cross sectional study, conducted at Ward 7 (MU-III), Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Center (JPMC), Karachi for Six months from 10th February 2016 to 9th August 2016. Total 195 patients of liver cirrhosis of more than 5 years duration with Child Pugh (A,B,C) were encompassed in the study using the purposive sampling technique. Nerve conductivity testing with surface electrodes was carried out in all four limbs including motor and sensory fibers of ulnar, median, tibial, and peroneal nerves as well as in sensory fibers of sural nerve. PN was diagnosed if more than one peripheral nerve was affected on nerve conduction study. Results: There were 119 male and 76 female patients with mean age of 45.19±8.41 yrs. The mean duration of disease was 8.85±1.69 years, with range 5(6–11) years. The child pugh class of 29.2% were class-A, 26.7% were class-B, and 44.1% were class-C. The peripheral neuropathy was observed in 59% patients. No any statistically significant association was observed with gender, age, child pugh class, and duration of disease. Conclusion: This study concluded that peripheral neuropathy is a possible complication of liver cirrhosis irrespective of etiology. The neuropathy was more prevalent in male gender, age >45 years and duration of disease 9-11 years. Keywords: Prevalence, Peripheral Neuropathy, Liver Cirrhosis.