Hypertension is a chronic disease quite common in the day to day scenario and is ranked as the rst most important risk factor driving the most death and disability combined in Kerala (2016) (3). Hypertension and insomnia are found to coexist (1) (2). The prevalence of insomnia among hypertensive patients of South Kerala has not been properly studied, this study aims to investigate the same. This study in addition to this tries to nd out the association between insomnia and antihypertensive drugs, as previous researches have suggested insomnia as a possible side effect of antihypertensive medication (5). So proper diagnostic measures should be adapted, with special surveillance of insomnia prone members of society (based on epidemiological evidences) so as to prevent and treat insomnia at early stage itself and also prevent its progression to hypertension.

BACKGROUND The most important medical and public health issue and the single cause of death worldwide is high blood pressure. Hypertension prevalence is on a rapid increase. Nerve conduction velocity test is an essential reliable clinical test for the diagnosis of the diseases of peripheral nerves that includes peripheral neuropathies. Nerve conduction study measures duration, latency, amplitude and conduction velocity. Conduction velocity and latency denote the speed of nerve impulse propagation. They are altered in disease, which cause demyelination. Amplitude denote the number of functioning fibers and it is altered in diseases causing axonal degeneration. OBJECTIVES The aim of the study is to assess the effect of hypertension on motor nerve conduction. METHODS The study was conducted in the Department of Physiology. The study protocol was approved by the Institutional Ethical Committee. A written informed consent was obtained from each participant. The study was done in 50 hypertensive patients and 50 normotensive subjects between the age group of 40-60 years. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS Unpaired 't' test was used to find the statistical significance between both groups. The data was analysed using the Microsoft excel software. Group statistics was done and expressed as mean±SD. RESULT The results of motor nerve conduction variables were not statistically significant between control group and hypertensive group. (P >0.05). CONCLUSION Hypertension may produce axonal degeneration, but may not be affecting the myelination thus preserving nerve conduction velocity. Thus, hypertension itself may not affect the nerve conduction variables. Extensive studies are required to study the effect of hypertension in nerve conduction taking into consideration the duration, age, BMI and severity.

BACKGROUND Nerve Conduction Study (NCS) and Needle Electromyography (EMG) are the main electrodiagnostic assessments for peripheral nerves. Nerve conduction study helps in knowing the extent and distribution of neural lesions. The sensory nerves studied in the lower limb are the sural nerve and the common peroneal nerve. The sensory nerve dysfunctions usually start in the lower limbs. Sural nerve study in systemic illness like diabetes mellitus shows axonal neuropathies. It also has higher diagnostic value. Aging is the process of becoming older, a process that is genetically determined and environmentally modulated. As age increases the nerve conduction velocity decreases. Along with age, Body Mass Index (BMI) is also an important factor to be taken into consideration. The objective of the study is to assess the effect of age and BMI on sensory nerve conduction study. MATERIALS AND METHODS The study was conducted in the department of physiology. The study protocol was approved by the institutional ethics committee. A written informed consent was obtained from each participant. The criteria for considering the volunteers were-Body Mass Index (BMI) between 18.5-35 and age group between 21-65 years. Statistical Analysis-One-way ANOVA test was used to find the statistical significance between the groups. The data was analysed using the SPSS software. Group statistics was done and expressed as Mean±SD. RESULTS The results of sensory nerve conduction velocities were statistically significant when comparison was done between lesser age group with higher age group and lesser BMI with higher BMI (P <0.05). CONCLUSION Since the parameters recorded show slowing of nerve conduction velocity, we suggest that obesity and age has some deleterious effect on axonal functions. So, while doing nerve conduction studies in persons with advanced age and higher BMI, these parameters must be taken into consideration.