Peripheral Neuropathy: Clinical and Electrophysiological Study Among Individual With Chronic HCV Infection

To assess the clinical and electrophysiological pattern of peripheral neuropathy in individuals with chronic HCV infection. Study was conducted in 42 patients with chronic HCV infection who had been rule out of other causes of peripheral neuropathy (PN) like diabetes, etc. All the patients underwent thorough clinical examination and electrophysiological (EP) study. Relevant laboratory data and treatment regimes were also noted. The study was conducted between 2012-2014 in RIMS. Mean age of the study population was 42.58±7.39 years. PN was observed in 31 (73.8%) patients. But clinically apparent PN was seen only in 20 (47.62%) patients. EP study showed sensory involvement was found in all of these 31 patients but motor nerve is involved only in 15 (35.7%). Among the neuropathy, pure axonal variety was more in number accounting for 29 (93.54%), demyelinating and mixed variety were found in 1 (3.2%) patient each. This study emphasizes the fact that prevalence of PN among Chronic HCV is as high as 74% though it is clinically unidentified in more than haft of this subset of patients. Identification of this subset of patients is thus important. This can possibly improve the quality of life and overall survival.