Peripheral nerve affection in patients with hyperlipidemia: a clinical and electrophysiological study

ABSTRACT

Familial hypercholesterolemia is a common genetic disorder, in its heterozygous form occur in 1500 of the general population. Peripheral neuropathy has been reported with this disorder, some related it to the use of lipid-lowering agents [statins], others related it to the disease itself. This study was conducted on 3 groups of patients 1[st] group; 15 patients with familial hypercholesterolemia receiving statins for variable durations, 2[nd] group 15 newly diagnosed patients with familial hypercholesterolemia not receiving statins, and a 3[rd] group 15 healthy matching controls. None of the subjects in the 3 groups had any disease causing peripheral neuropathy e.g. diabetes mellitus, renal failure, alcohol abuse... etc. All patients and controls were subjected to nerve conduction studies in both lower limbs; sensory and motor. None of the patients or controls had symptoms or signs of peripheral neuropathy. Electrophysiohgical studies didn't show any abnormalities in 2[nd] group and controls. In patients taking statins, 3 patients had neurophysiological evidence of sensory axonal neuropathy. The results of the present study support the previous reports that statins could be a cause of sensory polyneuropathy. Further investigations are recommended to determine which patient should discontinue statin treatment and identify other treatment options