Comparative neurophysiological study for the diagnosis of mild polyneuropathy in patients with diabetes mellitus and glucose intolerance

Int J Neurosci. 2006 Jun;116(6):745-59. doi: 10.1080/00207450600675340.

Abstract

This article evaluates diagnostic sensitivity of minimal F-wave latency, sural/radial amplitude ratio (SRAR), dorsal sural/radial amplitude ratio (DSRAR), sympathetic skin response (SSR), and R-R interval variability (RRIV) for detecting early polyneuropathy in patients with glucose intolerance and diabetic patients. F-wave latencies were more prolonged in diabetic patients with normal and abnormal nerve conduction studies than control subjects (p < .001). SRAR was lower, SSR latency was more prolonged, and RRIV was lower in diabetic patients with abnormal nerve conduction studies than healty controls (p < .001). SSR latency was more prolonged and RRIV was lower in diabetic patients with normal nerve conduction studies than healty controls (p < .01, p < .05, respectively). DSRAR was lower in diabetic patients with normal and abnormal nerve conduction studies than control subjects (p < .001). DSRAR was also lower in patients with glucose intolerance than control subjects (p < .01). DSRAR was the most sensitive and specific test in either of diabetic patients with normal nerve conduction studies (sensitivity 66%, specificity 90%) and diabetic patients with abnormal nerve conduction studies (sensitivity 100%, specificity 90%). DSRAR is the most reliable method for detection of early nerve pathology. Patients with glucose intolerance might have subclinical neuropathy that can be demonstrated with DSRAR analysis.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Diabetes Mellitus / physiopathology*
  • Electric Stimulation / methods
  • Female
  • Galvanic Skin Response / physiology
  • Glucose Intolerance / physiopathology*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neural Conduction / physiology
  • Neurophysiology / methods*
  • Polyneuropathies / diagnosis*
  • Polyneuropathies / etiology
  • Polyneuropathies / physiopathology*
  • Reaction Time / physiology
  • Reaction Time / radiation effects