Abstract: Objective To analyze the neuroelectrophysiological characteristics of peripheral neuropathy after chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Methods From January to December, 2016, a total of 60 patients of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with peripheral neuropathy were reviewed the motor conduction velocity and compound muscle action potential amplitude of median, ulnar, tibial, peroneal nerves; the sensory conduction velocity and sensory nerve action potential amplitude of median, ulnar, tibial, superficial peroneal nerves; and the skin sympathetic response of limbs. Results The incidence of abnormalities was higher in amplitude than in conduction velocity of motor nerve and sensory nerves (χ²=190.026, P<0.001). The incidence of abnormal conduction velocity was similar in motor nerve and sensory nerves (χ²=1.538, P>0.05), as well as the abnormal action potential amplitude (χ²=2.839, P>0.05). The incidence of abnormal conduction was similar with abnormal skin sympathetic response (χ²=0.001, P>0.05). The incidence of abnormalities of nerve conduction study (χ²=81.114, P<0.001) and abnormal skin sympathetic response (χ²=5.689, P<0.05) was more in lower limbs than in upper limbs. Conclusion The peripheral neuropathy after chronic obstructive pulmonary disease characters mainly as motor-sensory multiple neuropathy, involving motor, sensory and autonomic nerve. The axonal damage is significant, with the similar severity between motor and sensory nerves, as well as between the large and small nerves.

Key words: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, peripheral neuropathy, neuroelectrophysiology, nerve conduction, skin sympathetic response