Neuropathic Symptoms in World Trade Center Disaster Survivors and Responders.

OBJECTIVE The objective of this research is to determine whether responders and survivors of the World Trade Center (WTC) disaster experience symptoms of neuropathy at a rate higher than those not exposed. METHODS A survey of neuropathic symptoms in patients who were and were not exposed at the WTC based upon the Michigan Neuropathy Screening Instrument (MNSI). RESULTS Even after correction for medical comorbidities, age, and depression, neuropathic symptoms are much more common in those exposed to WTC dust and increase with increasing exposure. CONCLUSIONS This study provides evidence that exposure to WTC dust is associated with neuropathic symptoms.