The relationship between blood lead concentration and electroneurographic findings in lead-exposed subjects

Abstract Background: Lead is a malfactor of different organs such as autonomous, central and peripheral nervous system. Lead neuropathy is presented by movement disorder, pain hypersensitivity, muscle cramps, early fatigue, muscle weakness and atrophy. Objective: To assess the relationship between blood lead concentration on electroneurographic indicators of peripheral nerves in upper extremities. Methods: The study was performed on 50 lead-exposed volunteer workers and electroneurographic indicators including never conduction velocity, latency and amplitude were assessed in 33 healthy individuals. Blood lead concentration determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Statistical analysis was performed using X2 and Pearson tests. Findings: The mean concentration of blood lead was 96.7 ± 27.9 g/dl No relationship was found between lead concentration and the sensory conducting velocity, sensory and motor latency and also residual latency in ulnar, median and radial nerves. However the relationship between radial nerve motor conducting velocity and the lead concentration was statistically significant (p<0.05). Conclusion: There was no significant correlation between the blood lead concentration and the electroneurographic indicators of peripheral nerves of upper extremity. Further research with large sample size and considering all lead neurotoxic effects is suggested.