Evaluation of brain stem auditory evoked potentials in stable patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Abstract

Though there are few studies addressing brainstem auditory evoked potentials (BAEP) in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), subclinical BAEP abnormalities in stable COPD patients have not been studied. The present study aimed to evaluate the BAEP abnormalities in this study group.MATERIALS AND METHODS:In the present study, 80 male subjects were included: COPD group comprised 40 smokers with stable COPD with no clinical neuropathy; 40 age-matched healthy volunteers served as the control group. Latencies of BAEP waves I, II, III, IV, and V, together with interpeak latencies (IPLs) of I-III, I-V, and III-V, and amplitudes of waves I-Ia and V-Va were studied in both the groups to compare the BAEP abnormalities in COPD group; the latter were correlated with patient characteristics and Mini–Mental Status Examination Questionnaire (MMSEQ) scores to seek any significant correlation.RESULTS:Twenty-six (65%) of the 40 COPD patients had BAEP abnormalities. We observed significantly prolonged latencies of waves I, III, V over left ear and waves III, IV, V over right ear; increased IPLs of I-V, III-V over left ear and of I-III, I-V, III-V over right side. Amplitudes of waves I-Ia and V-Va were decreased bilaterally. Over left ear, the latencies of wave I and III were significantly correlated with FEV1; and amplitude of wave I-Ia, with smoking pack years. A weak positive correlation between amplitude of wave I-Ia and duration of illness; and a weak negative correlation between amplitude of wave V-Va and MMSEQ scores were seen over right side.CONCLUSIONS:We observed significant subclinical BAEP abnormalities on electrophysiological evaluation in studied stable COPD male patients having mild-to-moderate airflow obstruction.

A comparison of cognitive functions in non-hypoxemic chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients and age-matched healthy volunteers using mini-mental state examination questionnaire and event-related potential, P300 analysis

“…This has been previously validated and used by us also in prior studies. [56] In present study, MMSE was administered by same qualified pulmonary resident doctor for all subjects including COPD patients and HVs. The subjects were asked in their native language [Hindi] by exact conversion of the questions of MMSE International Version in English.…”

“…[34] Impairment of brainstem auditory-evoked potentials in stable COPD patents has also been described. [5] Visual-evoked potentials are also affected in many of these patients. [6] In addition, motor neuron involvement and encephalopathy have been observed in patients with chronic respiratory insufficiency.…”

Audiologic profile of OSAS and simple snoring patients: the effect of chronic nocturnal intermittent hypoxia on auditory function

“…Therefore, OSAS may lead to cerebral vascular insufficiency resulting in hypoxia, acute hemodynamic change, decreased cerebral blood flow during episodes of apnea and ischemic injury to the cochlea [6][7][8][9][10]. Both inner ear and acoustic nerve are highly dependent on the oxygen supply; specifically the cochlea is sensitive to circulatory alterations because of its single terminal artery supply and insufficient collateral circulation [11].…”

Effect of smoking on visual evoked potential (VEP) and visual reaction time (VRT)

“…Studies done in chronic smokers with COPD yielded prolonged latencies in VEP. [18][19][20][21] In COPD there is ventilation-perfusion imbalance resulting in hypoxia, which is linked with peripheral and central neuropathy, 4 affecting the visual receptors more. 5 Tobacco smoke have been seen to produce demyelination at retrobulbar portion of optic nerve 22 and increase reactive O 2 species which decrease blood flow and thus affect nerve conduction 2,3 as well as modulate release of neurotransmitter.…”