Electro-diagnostic and Clinical Changes of Peripheral Neuropathies in Bam Earthquake Victims

Abstract

To examine and diagnose patients who injured in Bam earthquake at 5:26:52 Am (local time) on Friday, December 26, 2003 with traumatic peripheral neuropathies then treat and follow up. A longitudinal study was deigned. 159 patients with traumatic neuropathies were selected at the first stage of study. After six months follow up only 39 patients satisfied to enter the study. Clinical examination, Nerve conduction velocity, F wave and H wave were done and registered. The male and female frequency was equal (19M/20F) and average of age was 31.1+/-11.6. During 6 months period following earthquake 19 cases (48.7%) were improved in healing of neuropathies and were better in both neurological examination and electro-diagnostic tests. The repeated measurement analysis of variances did not reveal any difference in healing of nerves in sex and age groups. So patients’ gender and age did not influence on recovery of neuropathies. The neuropathy injuries in Bam earthquake was the same as other earthquakes in Japan, China and Turkey, approximately. The notification to neuropathy in crush injuries and extremity damage for early diagnosis and treatment of neuropathies is considerable. At the earthquake disaster management, It is important that trained person rescue the victims to prevent extra injuries.