Peripheral Neuropathy in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: Clinical and Electrophysiological Properties and their Association with Disease Activity Parameters.

Aim: To study clinical and electrophysiological properties of peripheral neuropathy (PN) in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and their association with disease activity parameters.

Methods: A hospital-based observational study done among 50 SLE patients after informed consent. History and clinical examination including a detailed neurological examination was carried out. Blood and urine investigation were done and modified SLE disease activity index (SLEDAI)-2000 score was calculated.

Results: PN was found in 18 out of 50 (36%) SLE cases as defined electrophysiologically, nine had clinical and nine had subclinical neuropathy. On nerve conduction studies (NCS) 17 patients had axonal pattern. There were significant difference for mean ESR in patients with neuropathy (64.17 ± 42.43 mm/1st hour) and without neuropathy (42.34 ± 27.68 mm/1st hour) (P 0.033) and for mean modified SLEDAI-2000 of patients with neuropathy (15.61 ± 10.09) and without neuropathy (6.84 ± 6.16) (P < 0.05).

Conclusions: The study suggests significant association of peripheral neuropathy in SLE patients with ESR, modified SLEDAI-2000, pyuria, pleurisy and leucopenia.