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Background

What do we already know about this topic?

  • Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune connective tissue disease with multisystem involvement, including the central and peripheral nervous systems.1
  • Polyneuropathy is the most frequent subtype of peripheral nerve involvement in SLE.
  • Nerve conduction study (NCS) detects functional changes in nerves.
  • Neuromuscular ultrasonography (NMUS) detects functional morphological changes in nerves.
     

How was this study conducted?

  • This observational cross-sectional study examined 37 patients with SLE, and 18 healthy controls.
  • 5 nerves in each patient were examined bilaterally with NMUS, and the cross-sectional area (CSA) of each nerve at certain sites was estimated.
  • Mean CSA at each site was statistically analysed and compared between groups