Electrophysiological Abnormalities in Type 2 Diabetic Patients with Reduced Levels of Insulin-like Growth Factor I

This cross-sectional study investigated electrophysiological abnormalities in type 2 diabetics with normal and reduced insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) levels. Sixty patients and 20 non-diabetic controls were included in the study. The fasting serum glucose was measured and IGF-I levels were determined by radioimmunoassay in all patients. Nerve conduction tests were performed in all the study participants on the ulnar nerve and lower extremities. Compared with the controls, all the patients showed a reduction in the peak amplitude of the motor response, 58% showed a reduction in the motor conduction velocity and 55% showed a reduction in the sensory conduction velocity. There was no statistically significant correlation between the electrophysiological changes and the glucose or IGF-I levels. In conclusion, there does not appear to be a correlation between serum glucose or IGF-I levels and electrophysiological abnormalities in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.