Comparative Study of Visual Evoked Potentials in Copd Patients and Healthy

Abstract

Background: COPD is a 3 rd leading cause of death worldwide. Estimates suggest Prevalence and burden of COPD will increase in coming decades. It is a multisystem disorder that is frequently associated with significant extrapulmonary manifestations. These associations have a significant negative impact over the prognosis and health related quality of life in patients with COPD. Aim & Objective:The present study is carried out to evaluate effects of COPD on Visual evoked potentials before any clinical signs and symptoms of visual impairment appear.Method: Study was done in 50 COPD patients having disease duration of more than 5 years with stable course of illness and 50 age and sex matched healthy adults as controls. Pattern reversal visual evoked potential recording was done with monocular stimulation.Result: There was statistically significant increase in P100 Latency of both eyes in COPD patients as compared to controls. Statistically non-significant decrease in P100 amplitude was seen. Prolongation of P100 latency in COPD patients is due to development of chronic hypoxemia leading to tissue hypoxia causing slower conduction in visual pathway suggesting demyelination.