A Study of Distal Sensory Nerves in Patients with Newly Diagnosed Asymptomatic Type 2 DM

Abstract

Our study enrolled a total of 35 Type II Diabetes patients (20 females, 15 males) with a mean age of 47.22±8.15 years, and 30 healthy controls (17 females and 13 males) with a mean age of 49.30±6.56 years. The two groups did not significantly differ with respect to age and sex (p>0.05). MP, MDC, and DS sensory nerve conduction studies, performed additionally to the standard PNP protocol, revealed that the amplitudes and conduction velocities of each of the three nerves were significantly lower than those of the control group (p<0.01). Discussion: It is possible to diagnose diabetic PNP at an early, asymptomatic stage by studying sensory nerves conduction properties of MP, MDC, and DS in addition to the standard electrophysiological PNP protocol. Detection of PNP by these methods at an early stage may help taking measures to prevent progression into symptomatic PNP.