ABSTRACT
Objective To analyze the characteristics of nerve damage in diabetic peripheral neuropathy by ultrasound and neuroelectrophysiological techniques and provide a basis for early diagnosis and treatment of diabetic peripheral neuropathy. Methods From January 2016 to May 2018, 225 patients with type 2 diabetes admitted to the hospital were divided into DPN group (110 cases) and non-diabetic peripheral neuropathy (NDPN) group (115 cases),and 120 healthy volunteers were as controls. Ultrasound and nerve conduction velocity(NCV) were used to analyze the characteristics of nerve damage in diabetic peripheral neuropathy(DPN). Results Among the three study groups, the sensory nerves conduction velocity and motor nerves conduction velocity of the ulnar nerve, median nerve, and common peroneal nerve were significantly reduced in the DPN group. But in the same group,the ulnar nerve, median nerve, and common peroneal nerve cross-sectional area (CSA) was significantly increased [(8.68 ± 1.89) mm2 vs. (6.79 ± 1.69) and (5.82 ± 1.57) mm2, (10.59 ± 1.82) mm2 vs. (7.98 ± 1.97) and (7.25 ± 1.71) mm2, (21.24 ± 2.53 )mm2 vs. (16.54 ± 2.49) and (15.40 ± 2.20) mm2]. In the measurement of sensory nerve conduction velocity, the abnormalities of ulnar nerve, median nerve and common peroneal nerve were significantly higher than thoseof motor nerve [34.54%(38/110) vs. 18.18%(20/110), 36.36% (40/110)vs. 20.90% (23/110), 52.72% (58/110) vs. 20.00% (22/110)]. In ultrasound and SCV, the proportion of ulnar nerve and median nerve injury was higher in patients aged 45 years or older or patients over 10 years of course (P<0.05). The proportion of median nerve injury was higher in patients with larger MAGE (P < 0.05). In the abnormal performance of ultrasound: the proportion of abnormal ulnar nerve, median nerve and common peroneal nerve in patients with large MAGE was significantly higher than that in patients with small MAGE (P<0.05); the results of ultrasound measurement of CSA showed that the ulnar nerve, median nerve and common peroneal nerve thickening were more obvious in patients with MAGE>4 mmol/L. Conclusions DPN affects sensory nerves first, and the proportion of injury is significantly higher than that of motor nerves; lower limb nerves are more susceptible to damage, compared with upper limb nerves; patients aged 45 years or older or patients with course over 10 years have a higher proportion of ulnar nerve and median nerve damage; patients with larger MAGE (>4 mmol/L) have a higher proportion of median nerve damage. The characteristics above can provide an effective basis for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of DPN.