KUMJ | VOL. 1 | NO. 1 | ISSUE 1 | JAN-MAR, 2003

Study of patients presenting with symptoms of peripheral neuropathy and
Neopane A, Upadhyaya B, Dungana S, Karki DB

Abstract:
Objective: To analyze symptoms and make a clinical diagnosis of leprosy in patients presenting with symptoms of peripheral neuropathy and found to have thickened greater auricular nerve. Design: Cross- sectional study Setting: Kathmandu Medical College Teaching Hospital, Sinamangal, Kathmandu. Patients attending the medical out patient department of this hospital were taken in the study. Materials and methods: 40 patients presenting with symptoms of peripheral neuropathy and are found to have thickened greater auricular nerve were included. Results: Thickened greater auricular nerve and sensory symptoms showed male predominance (97.5%). Mean age of involvement was 28.65 years. The symptom most frequently complained of was chest pain (75%), followed by pins and needle sensation 67.5%, burning of the upper extremities, nape of the neck and chest 57.5%, palpitation 45%, disturbed sleep mostly said to be due to burning 35%, sweating 20%, dizziness17.5%, shortness of breath 7.5%, and numbness of the limbs in 2.5%. None of the patients had somatic neuropathy. Autonomic neuropathy was present in 42.5 %.
Keyword : peripheral neuropathy, primary neuritic leprosy, autonomic neuropathy, follow up