Effect Of Cigarette Smoking on Nerve Conduction Velocity

Background : Smoking causes changes in the myelin sheath leading to demyelination, causing blockage of nerve conduction and a decrease in conduction velocity. Aim: To assess the effect of cigarette smoking on nerve conduction velocity of median and ulnar nerve by nerve conduction study. Methodology: 50 smokers and 50 non-smokers were recruited and nerve conduction velocity of the median and ulnar nerve were studied in both groups. Result: The sensory nerve conduction velocity among smokers was significantly reduced when compared to non-smokers (p<0.05). Discussion: The chemical oxidants that are released from cigarette smoke cause neural ischemia and also enhance oxidative stress. The sensory nerve is a thin nerve and it is more prone to damage by the chemicals released from cigarette smoke. Conclusion: The sensory nerve conduction velocity among smokers was reduced in our study.