Original scientific paper

Electrophysiologic study of diabetic neuropathy

Lorena Radolović Prenc ; Djelatnost za neurologiju, Opća bolnica Pula, Pula
Ivana Vidović ; Djelatnost za neurologiju, Opća bolnica Pula, Pula
Dubravko Marković ; Djelatnost za neurologiju, Opća bolnica Pula, Pula
Loredana Labinac-Peteh ; Djelatnost za neurologiju, Opća bolnica Pula, Pula

Abstract

Aim: To emphasis importance of nerve conduction studies in diagnostic and more
objective classification of diabetic neuropathy in group of our patients. Methods: Retrospective
research included 280 patients with diabetes mellitus, treated at the Pula General Hospital,
and control group of 50 health individuals. Study period was from January 2011 to January
2012. Nerve conduction study and clinical evaluation were done in all patients. Results: Nerve
conduction studies revealed significantly reduced conduction velocity parameters, in patients
with diabetes, for all examined nerves, especially for sensory nerves and for those in the lower
limbs. Also were notable the prolonged nerve potential duration and rise time for motor
and sensory nerves. Distal latencies of motor nerves were prolonged, especially in the lower
limbs. In patients with longer duration of diabetes, conduction velocities slowing (P = 0.06),
distal latencies prolongation for peroneal and median nerve (P = 0,07 i P = 0,08) and decreasing
of neural and M potentials amplitude (P = 0.05, P = 0.06 i P = 0.08), were more remarkable,
but not statistically significant (P ≥ 0.05). For analysis of neural potential duration (P =
0.01 i P = 0.001), rise time (P = 0.006 i P = 0.001) and conduction velocities (P = 0.005) of sensory
nerves in the same group, difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). Pathological
findings on nerve conduction studies were also found in patients with no clinical signs of diabetic
neuropathy. Between asymptomatic and symptomatic diabetic neuropathy group, there is a significant difference (P < 0.05) in the conduction velocity
of all tested nerves (P = 0.01, P = 0.02 i P = 0.04) and M and
neural potential amplitude (P = 0.02, P = 0.03 i P = 0.04). Between
symptomatic and disabilitating diabetic neuropathy we
registered a statistically significant difference (P < 0.05) in the
conduction velocity of all nerves (P = 0.01, P = 0.03 i P = 0.04),
while the M and neural potential amplitude in these two
groups, were not significantly different (P = 0.06, P = 0.07, P =
0.08). Conclusion: Nerve conduction studies of peripheral
nerves in diabetic population provide early detection of disease
(abnormal findings of nerve conduction study in asymptomatic
patient). Also, correlation between nerve conduction
studies and clinical findings enables more objective classification
of diabetic neuropathy.

Keywords

diabetes mellitus; electroneurography; polyneuropathy

Hrčak ID:

103489

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/103489

Publication date:

5.6.2013.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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