Electrodiagnostic Patterns in Neuromuscular Disorders: A Retrospective Cross-Sectional Study from a Tertiary Care Hospital

Background and objective:  Electromyography (EMG) and nerve conduction studies (NCS) are essential for diagnosing neuromuscular disorders and differentiating various peripheral nervous system conditions. The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence and trends of neuromuscular disorders based on EMG/NCS findings in a tertiary care center in Pakistan. Methods:  This retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted at the neurophysiology laboratory of Aga Khan University Hospital from 1st January 2023 to 31st December 2023. A total of 961 EMG/NCS records were analyzed, including both inpatient and outpatient cases. Data was extracted from the EMG registry, and findings were categorized into mononeuropathy, chronic sensorimotor axonal polyneuropathy, chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy, Guillan Barre syndrome, plexopathy, radiculopathy, anterior horn cell disorders, myopathy, and neuromuscular junction disorders. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 23.0. Results: Among 961 patients, 651 (67.7%) had abnormal EMG findings. The most common diagnosis was radiculopathy (n=205; 21.3%), followed by mononeuropathies (171 cases, 17.8%), chronic sensorimotor axonal polyneuropathy (n=143; 14.9%), and myopathy (n=60; 6.2%). Carpal tunnel syndrome was the most frequent mononeuropathy, while lumbosacral radiculopathy was the predominant radiculopathy. Myopathies and neuromuscular junction disorders were less common. The 40–49-year age group was the most frequently affected. Conclusion:  EMG/NCS plays a crucial role in diagnosing and classifying neuromuscular conditions, as evidenced by the high proportion of abnormal findings in our study. Expanding access to EMG/NCS and enhancing electrophysiology training for neurologists can further improve diagnostic accuracy and patient care.