cross sectional observational study, aimed to assess the electrophysiological function of the motor units in liver cirrhotic patients.

Liver cirrhosis is a global health problem which could be associated with several neurological manifestations. The associated peripheral neuropathy could be assessed by conventional nerve conduction studies.

Objective: The study aims at early detection of peripheral neuropathy among patients of liver cirrhosis by conventional nerve conduction studies and quantitative EMG methods. In addition, the study aims at finding out correlation between peripheral neuropathy and severity of the liver cirrhosis.

Methods: This a cross-sectional study conducted on fifty-six liver cirrhotic patients, that had been recruited from the Endemic medicine department/outpatient clinics and their age-gender matched sixty-one healthy controls. The recruited patients were clinically assessed .Both conventional nerve conduction studies and quantitative EMG techniques in the form of MUNE calculation, using modified spike -triggered technique and IPA ratio evaluation were performed for the allocated cirrhotic patients.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Both genders.

• Age interval range between 18 and 60 years (To avoid maturational changes and aging process on motor unit number).

• Liver cirrhotic patients( including compensated and decompensated patients);

  • Presenting hematemesis/melena and/or ascites.
  • Diagnosis of liver cirrhosis is confirmed by abdominal ultrasound

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients with identifiable cause of peripheral neuropathy (e.g. diabetic patients) .
• Patients who developed hepatocellular carcinoma (to avoid para-neoplastic syndrome e.g. peripheral neuropathy)
• Patients with other non-hepatic chronic illness such as: patients with renal disease (to avoid other causes of metabolic neuropathies).

Fifty-Six liver cirrhotic patients that were recruited from the Endemic medicine department and its outpatient clinics, at Kasr Alainy hospitals, Cairo University.