English

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a metabolic disorder which has become a major public health problem worldwide. Its commonest complication is diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN). DPN is characterized by combining axonal loss and demyelinating sensory motor peripheral neuropathy. To investigate this condition nerve conduction studies with determination of latency and velocity are commonly used as they are considered to be the most sensitive, reliable, non- invasive and objective means. DPN is believed to affect mainly distal nerve segments. However, it has been recently reported that F-wave study in diabetic patients is very reliable. AIM: Aim of the present study was to find out whether F-wave minimal latency (FWML) is having more sensitivity compared to motor nerve conduction study for diagnosis of DPN. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Motor and sensory nerve conduction and F-wave studies of upper and lower extremity nerves were carried out bilaterally in 60 clinically diagnosed patients with Type II diabetes mellitus. These parameters were also studied in 45 age matched controls. RESULTS: Sensitivity for distal motor latency (DML) was 53.33% in median, 26.31% in ulnar, 25.8% in peroneal and 41.17% in tibial nerves. Sensitivity for motor amplitude- compound muscle action potential (CMAP) was 56.66% in the median, 66.66% in ulnar, 80.64% in personnel and 72.54% in tibial nerves. Sensitivity for motor conduction velocity (MNCV) was 50% in the median, 47.36% in ulnar, 77.41% in personnel and 72.55% in tibial nerves. Sensitivity for distal sensory latency (DSL) was 37.97% in the median, 23.8% in ulnar, 41.5% in sural nerves. Sensitivity for sensory amplitude (SNAP) was 8.01% in the median, 64.28% in ulnar and 60.37% in sural nerves. Sensitivity for sensory conduction velocity (SNCV) was 40.5% in median, 26.19% in ulnar and 58.49% in Sural nerves. Prolonged FWMLs were found in 73.87% of median, 69% of ulnar, 72.72% of peroneal and 68.96% of tibial nerves. The sensitivity for FWML was 75.7% in median, 81.37% in ulnar, 83.63% in peroneal and 81.7% in tibial nerve. CONCLUSION: FWML is a highly sensitive indicator for diagnosis of DPN.