Evaluating Diagnostic Value of Electrophysiological Testing (EMG-NCV) Compared to the Activity Level of Acetylcholinesterase in Serum and Red Blood Cells of Patients with Moderate to Severe Organophosphate Poisoning

Background: Organophosphate compounds cause poisoning and death more than any other insecticide. These toxins can cause peripheral neuropathywhich is delayed for about 3 - 6 weeks and no method has been known for predicting the incidence. It has been claimed that electrophysiologicaltests (EMG - NCV) can help in predicting the disorder.Objectives: The main purpose of this research was to study EMG - NCV tests in patients with moderate to severe organophosphate poisoning.Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted on patients with moderate to severe organophosphate poisoning from 2014 to 2016 in ImamReza hospital of Mashhad. The minimum sample size was calculated as 68 patients and then all data was collected on the basis of inclusion andexclusion criteria using data collection form designed by the researcher, and finally data were analyzed using SPSS V.21 software, descriptive tests(including mean, median, mode) and analytical tests (K square, ANOVA).Results: Of all 78 patients with the mean age of 27.50 10.0, 45 were female and the rest were male. Totally 29.5% of the patients had abnormal EMG- NCV. Although no significant differences were observed between electro diagnostic tests (EMG - NCV) and age, gender, clinical symptoms and levelsof acetylcholinesterase serum activity, the relationship between EMG - NCV and RBC levels of acetylcholinesterase activity was significant.Conclusions: Electrophysiological tests are not associated with clinical symptoms (muscle weakness) and they cannot be considered as a determiningfactor to discharge the patients; therefore, careful examination of the patients or evaluating the level of AChE activity in red blood cells isneeded.

Keywords:

Organophosphate Poisoning , Electrophysiological Tests , Acetylcholinesterase