Introduction: To evaluate the sensitivity of electrophysiologic assessments, we compared F-waves and motor and sensory nerve conduction studies (MNCS and SNCS) in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM).
Methods: We tested median, ulnar, tibial, and fibular nerves in 132 DM patients divided into those with and without clinical evidence of polyneuropathy.
Results: Of 64 asymptomatic patients, 2 (3%) had MNCS or SNCS abnormalities, both of whom had F-wave changes, whereas 21 (33%) had only delayed F-waves, for a combined yield of 23 (36%). The corresponding values for 68 symptomatic patients consisted of 43 (63%), 14 (21%), and 57 (84%). In both groups, F-wave latency had a higher (P<0.05) frequency of abnormality than MNCS in all nerves. F-wave study also surpassed SNCS in lower limb nerves.
Conclusions: F-waves of the tibial and fibular nerves are the most sensitive measure to detect subclinical or overt diabetic polyneuropathy. Muscle Nerve 49: 804-808, 2014.
Keywords: F-wave; diabetes mellitus; diabetic polyneuropathy; height-latency nomogram; nerve conduction study.
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