Impact of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Duration on Sural Nerve Conduction Velocity: A Cross-Sectional Study

Objective: To evaluate the nerve conduction velocity (NCV) of the sural nerve in patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) and compare it with healthy controls, focusing on the impact of the disease's duration on NCV. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 90 T2DM patients divided into two groups based on disease duration (<5 years and >10 years) and 45 healthy controls. Sural nerve NCV was measured using an Octopus NCV/EMG/EP machine. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS. Results: The NCV of the sural nerve was significantly lower in T2DM patients compared to controls (p<0.001). NCV decreased significantly with increasing duration of diabetes, showing a reduction of approximately 1.80 m/s per year for the left sural nerve and 1.97 m/s per year for the right sural nerve. Conclusions: Prolonged T2DM is associated with a significant reduction in sural nerve conduction velocity, indicating progressive nerve damage. Early diagnosis and management are crucial to prevent severe neuropathic complications. Key words: Nerve Conduction Velocity, Sural Nerve, Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, Diabetic Neuropathy