Electrophysiological findings for peripheral nerves of lower limb in women with stress urinary incontinence and non-specific low back pain

Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) and nonspecific low back pain (NSLBP) are prevalent conditions that significantly affect women's quality of life. Recent studies have identified a connection between these conditions and dysfunction in the peripheral nerves of the lower limb. This study aims to compile existing knowledge on the electrophysiological findings in the peripheral nerves of the lower limb in women experiencing SUI and NSLBP. This was a prospective observational study involving fifty healthy women and women suffering from SUI and NSLBP. The participants were aged between 25 and 35 and had a body mass index (BMI) ranging from 20 to 24. The primary outcome measures focused on evaluating lower-limb peripheral nerves in women with SUI and NSLBP. There was an increase in both distal and proximal latencies of the tibial nerve, along with a significant decrease in distal and proximal amplitudes and nerve conduction velocity (NCV) in group A when compared to group B (p < 0.001). For the peroneal nerve, group A showed a significantly higher distal latency and a significantly lower NCV (p < 0.001), while no significant differences were observed in proximal latency or the proximal and distal amplitudes between the two groups (p > 0.05). Regarding the sural nerve, group A had significantly higher onset latency and lower amplitude and NCV compared to group B (p < 0.01). These findings reveal statistically significant nerve conduction abnormalities in tibial, peroneal, and sural nerve conduction in women suffering from stress urinary incontinence (SUI) and non-specific low back pain. The tibial nerve displayed extended distal and proximal latencies, diminished amplitudes, and lower nerve conduction velocity (NCV). The peroneal nerve showed prolonged distal latency and a reduced NCV, while the sural nerve had an extended onset latency, decreased amplitude, and slower NCV. The tibial nerve showed the most changes, including extended latencies and lower conduction velocity, implying both axonal and demyelinating involvement. These changes, supported by large effect sizes, high thresholds commonly associated with clinically meaningful decline, and may have functional consequences.