The effects of anthropometric and demographic factors on conduction parameters of the ulnar nerve: Multivariate analysis. (24th August 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Mondelli, Mauro; Vinciguerra, Claudia; Aretini, Alessandro; Ginanneschi, Federica
• Is Part Of: Neuroscience letters. Volume 734(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-08-24
• Subjects: AE above-below elbow segment -- APB abductor pollicis brevis -- ADM abductor digiti minimi -- BMI body mass index -- CMAPa compound muscle action potential amplitude -- % of CMAPa drop decrease in CMAPa from below elbow to above elbow -- CGW cubital groove width -- DML distal motor latency -- DUC dorsal ulnar cutaneous nerve -- EDX electrodiagnostic testing -- M3 median nerve, third digit-wrist tract -- M4 median nerve, fourth digit-wrist tract -- MCV motor nerve conduction velocity -- MCV drop MCV difference between AE vs. below elbow-wrist segments -- NCS nerve conduction studies -- SCV sensory conduction velocity -- SNAPa sensory nerve action potential amplitude -- U4 ulnar nerve, fourth digit-wrist tract -- U5 ulnar nerve, fifth digit-wrist tract -- WHR waist-to-hip ratio; Dorsal ulnar cutaneous nerve -- Elbow anthropometry -- Median nerve -- Multivariate analysis -- Nerve conduction study -- Ulnar nerve; Neurology -- Periodicals; Neurology -- Periodicals; Research -- Periodicals; Neurologie -- Périodiques; Neuroanatomie -- Périodiques; Neuropharmacologie -- Périodiques; Neurophysiologie -- Périodiques; Neurology; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 617.48
• DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2020.135107
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0304-3940

Abstract

Highlights: Age correlate with all sensory and motor ulnar nerve parameters. Cubital groove and elbow anthropometry are not related to ulnar conduction. Effects of anthropometric and demographic data vary depending on conduction parameter. The cut-offs to diagnose ulnar neuropathy at the elbow should be revised. Abstract: The objective of the study is to investigate the effects of age, height, gender, body mass index (BMI), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), arm and elbow measures on ulnar nerve conduction. We enrolled 261 "disease-free" subjects. We analyzed motor conduction velocity (MCV) in across elbow (AE) and forearm tracts, and sensory conduction velocity in 4th, 5th digit-wrist tracts (U4, U5) and in dorsal ulnar cutaneous nerve (DUC). We calculated the amplitudes of sensory and motor potentials (CMAPa and SNAPa), % of CMAPa drop AE, MCV drop and distal motor latency (DML). Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed. We estimated the predictive equations. The median nerve was examined for comparison. Age was negatively correlated with all conduction parameters. Forearm and AE MCV, % of CMAPa drop, DML, U4 and U5 SCV also depended upon height. Females had higher U4 and U5 SNAPa than males. BMI showed inverse relationship with U4 and U5 SNAPa. DUC parameters depended upon BMI and arm length. Similar trends were observed for the median nerve. "Normative" ulnar conduction parameters should be adjusted for demographic and anthropometric measures to improve diagnostic sensitivity.