RESUMEN
Background: Diabetes is a common cause of peripheral neuropathy. Phrenic neuropathy may be an important, albeit rare, complication of diabetes. Diaphragmatic function should be considered in any patient with unexplained breathlessness and orthopnea. Neurological problems of the diaphragmatic muscle occur when a disease process decreases or terminates the impulse of respiratory stimuli originating in the brain. The diaphragm receives its role muscular neurologic impulse of the respiratory impulse from the phrenic nerve. Phrenic neuropathy may impair respiratory function. Aim of the work: To compare respiratory functions and phrenic nerve electrophysiological activity in diabetics and non-diabetics
Methods: An electrophysiological study of phrenic nerve was performed, using motor nerve conduction velocity study to determine its possible involvement in 30 diabetic patients and 30 non-diabetics. Respiratory functions [FVC,FEV1, FEV1/FVCratio, and FEF25-75]were also measured
Reuslts: Most of diabetics showed impaired respiratory function. Twelve patients of all diabetics showed pathological phrenic nerve latency. Phrenic nerve conduction velocity is significantly lower in those diabetics who have impaired respiratory functions than those without respiratory function impairment. Delayed phrenic nerve latency correlated clearly with impaired respiratory functions, fasting blood sugar and glycosylated hemoglobin
Conclusion: Diabetes is correlated with delayed phrenic nerve conduction velocity and respiratory function impairment