The value of contact heat evoked potentials for the early diagnosis of diabetic peripheral polyneuropathy

Abstract

Objective To study the value of contact heat evoked potentials (CHEPs) for the early diagnosis of diabetic peripheral polyneuropathy. Methods Seventy-five diabetic patients were examined by conventional nerve conduction velocity studies and then divided into 2 groups: diabetics with normal nerve conduction and diabetics with abnormal nerve conduction. Thirty-three normal subjects were used as controls. Toronto Clinical Neuropathy Sco-ring System was used to evaluate the patients. CHEPs were recorded using different stimulation intensities at different temperatures. Results The peak latencies of 45℃ , 50℃, 53℃ in diabetics with normal nerve conduction group were longer than those in normal control group, with a significant difference between the 2 groups(P<0.05). The peak latencies of diabetics were positively related to Toronto scores. Conclusion CHEPs could detect the impair-ment of diabetic peripheral nerve and reveal the impairment earlier than conventional nerve conduction velocity exami-nation, The prolongation of peak latency in diabetics group was significantly and positively related to clinical condi-tion. Key words: Contact heat evoked potentials; Diabetes mellitus; Diabetic peripheral polyneuropathy