ABSTRACT
Thyroid hormones could affect neurologic reflexes. Of these reflexes is the "blink reflex" which have been studied excessively in the field of neurophysiology, yet, there is lack of knowledge regarding the effect of thyroid hormones on its circuits which involve synapses in the brainstem. We studied electrically elicited blink reflexes of 17 patients with hypothyroidism, 13 patients with hyperthyroidism and 35 volunteers as control group. The mean values of latencies and amplitude of RI and iR2 and cR2 components were not statistically different between groups, while the duration of iR2 and cR2 component where found shorter and longer in patients with hyper and hypothyroid patients, respectively. We thought that these findings might reflect the inhibitory effect of excess thyroid hormones or changes in the interneuronal excitability within the brainstem
ABSTRACT
Diabetic hand syndrome is a condition characterized by association of distinct entities; limited joint mobility, Dupuytren's contracture, flexor tenosynovitis and carpal tunnel syndrome. Evaluate the prevalence of these changes and association to diabetes duration and its complication. We studied 142 non-insulin-dependent and 33 insulin-dependent diabetics and investigated the presence of these hand changes and peripheral neuropathy. The prevalence of limited joint mobility was 28.6%, Dupuytren's contracture 17.7%, flexor tenosynovitis 10.3% and carpal tunnel syndrome 42.9% in all diabetics. Age and duration of diabetes were clearly related to these changes. A clear association between them and peripheral neuropathy was observed. The prevalence of carpal tunnel syndrome and hand changes was higher in non-insulin-dependent diabetics. The association of Dupuytren's contracture and peripheral neuropathy suggests that common factors could contribute to their pathogenesis