Subclinical peripheral neuropathy in patients of insulin dependent [Type 1] diabetes mellitus

ABSTRACT

Motor and sensory nevre conduction velocities in the upper and lower limbs were evaluated in 30 patients of type I [insulin-dependent] diabetes mellitus and 15 age matched non-diabetic controls having no symptoms of peripheral neuropathy. Fasting blood glucose and glycosylated haemoglobin [HbA1C] levels were estimated to assess the glycaemic control in diabetic patients. Motor and sensory nerve conduction velocities were very highly significantly [P< 0.001] reduced in diabetic patients as compared to those in non-diabetic controls. A significant inverse correlation [P< 0.05] between duration of the disease and motor nerve conduction velocity of median nerve was demonstrated. There was also a significant inverse correlation [P< 0.05] between motor and sensory conduction velocities and fasting blood glucose level. This suggests a metabolic basis for the pathogenesis of diabetic neuropthy. Subclincal peripheral neuropathy was present in 36.67% of insulin-dependent diabetics