Current perception threshold and sympathetic skin response in diabetic and alcoholic polyneuropathies

Intern Med. 2002 Oct;41(10):819-22. doi: 10.2169/internalmedicine.41.819.

Abstract

Objective: Correlation between current perception threshold and sympathetic skin response was investigated in patients with diabetic or alcoholic polyneuropathy.

Methods: Current perception threshold was measured using Neurometer CPT/C, and the sympathetic skin response was measured using Neuropack sigma.

Patients: Fourteen patients with diabetic polyneuropathy and 10 patients with alcoholic polyneuropathy were studied.

Results: There was a significant negative correlation between the current perception threshold to 5 Hz stimulation and the amplitude of sympathetic skin response.

Conclusion: Since both current perception threshold to 5 Hz stimulation and sympathetic skin response are related to C fibers, these two are considered to be impaired concurrently in diabetic and alcoholic polyneuropathies.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Adrenergic Fibers / physiology*
  • Alcoholic Neuropathy / diagnosis
  • Alcoholic Neuropathy / physiopathology*
  • Diabetic Neuropathies / diagnosis
  • Diabetic Neuropathies / physiopathology*
  • Differential Threshold
  • Electric Stimulation / methods
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neural Conduction / physiology
  • Pain Threshold / physiology
  • Skin Physiological Phenomena*
  • Thermosensing / physiology