The Mixed Nerve Action Potential of the Medial and Lateral Plantar Nerve Conduction Studies in Diabetic Patients

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the mixed nerve action potential of the medial and lateral plantar nerve conduction studies in diabetic patients with the various factors. METHOD: 69 healthy adults without foot trauma as control group and 78 diabetic patients without foot trauma as subject group were studied. The study was performed by using the orthodromic surface stimulation and recording method of evaluating of the mixed nerve action potential of the medial and lateral plantar nerve conduction studies. RESULTS: The differences in the distal latency (p<0.05), amplitude (p<0.05) and nerve conduction velocity (p<0.05) of the mixed nerve action potential of the medial and lateral plantar nerve conduction studies were statistically significant between the diabetic group and the normal control group. Same results also could be obtained in diabetic patients relating to longer duration of diabetes, presence of diabetic retinopathy, higher blood glucose level, longer duration of oral hypoglycemic agent and insulin treatment (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The mixed nerve action potential of the medial and lateral plantar nerve conduction studies are useful for the detection of diabetic neuropathic foot.

A Survey of Defecation Pattern after Discharge in Stroke Patients

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the defecation pattern after discharge in stroke patients with bowel problems. METHOD: Subjects were 50 stroke patients who underwent rehabilitation program and discharged to home. The information about the defecation pattern were taken through interview or review of medical records as follows: anatomical lesion site, consciousness, admission period, operation history, co-morbidity, ambulation distance, water & food intake, assistive device use, voiding dysfunction, urine output, stool softner use, fecal incontinence, and defecation frequency. We compared the defecation frequency according to the various factors obtained from the medical records and interview. RESULT: The defecation frequency were significantly higher in patients without co-morbidily or fecal incontinence, with longer-distance ambulation, large amount of water & food intake (p0.05). CONCLUSION: Considering the various factors noted above, comprehensive rehabilitation program to relieve bowel problems should be established in the rehabilitation management of stroke patients.