Abstract

Diabetic neuropathy is the most dreadful complication of poorly controlled long standing diabetes mellitus, ending up in amputation in worst cases. This underscores the value of early detection and intervention of diabetic neuropathy. The objective of present study is to look for early changes in nerve conduction in patients not exhibiting symptoms of diabetic neuropathy as compared to the symptomatic patients. Materials & Methods: In a group of 34 patients with mean age of 59 years and asymptomatic for diabetic peripheral neuropathy, nerve conduction studies were conducted along with FBS, HbA1c and compared the same parameters with a group of 52 patients with mean age of 56 years and symptomatic for diabetic neuropathy patients. Results of nerve conduction studies in both the groups are statistically compared with normal established reference values as well as between them. The number of cases demonstrating abnormal test parameters in the given groups is statistically analyzed using chi-square test. Results: Results of the study confirmed that there is a decline in conduction velocity to an extent of 6m/sec on the average mostly in lower limb sensory nerves in symptomatic diabetic neuropathy patients. Even in diabetic subjects not reporting any symptoms of neuropathies, in 30% of cases there is decline in lower limb sensory conduction velocities to varying extents compared to the normal reference values. Conclusion: Nerve conduction studies even in asymptomatic cases may prove to be valuable indices of progression to full blown diabetic neuropathy in due course and help initiate prophylactic measures to retard its progress.

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