Clinical study on peripheral nerve conduction velocities in diabetic patients

Objective To study the changes of peripheral nerve conduction velocity in diabetic patients. Methods Peripheral nerve conduction velocities (NCV) including motor nerves conductive velocity(MCV) and sensory nerve conductive velocity(SCV) of 56 diabetic patients and 30 healthy controls were determined by Neurofax MEB-2200 EPEMG system(Japan). The results were analyzed. Results It demonstrated that there were pathological changes of NCV in 37 cases(3756,66 %). The abnormal rate was 35.7 %(40112) in median nerve;26.8 %(30112) in ruler nerve and 61.6 %(69112) in common peroneal nerve. The definite clinical diagnostic rate of diabetic peripheral neuropathy was rison from 18 % to 66 %. The MCV and SCV was significantly in patients with diabetes over 10 years than that in controls(P 0.01). The abnormal rate of lower limbs was higher than that of upper limbs. The changes of NCV were characterized bilateral symmetry in limbs of diabetic patients and the changes were associated with the diabetic course. Conclusion It demonstrates that the determination of NCV is valuable in early diagnosis for diabetic peripheral neuropathy.