Utilization of Nerve Conduction Study for the Detection of Diabetic Polyneuropathy in a Tertiary Care Center in Madhya Pradesh

Introduction: Diabetes mellitus is a group of metabolic disorders that share the phenotype of hyperglycemia. The clinical and economic burden of diabetic polyneuropathy (DPN) stems from its central role in the pathophysiology of foot ulceration and lower limb amputation, reduction in quality of life. Simple screening methods are of limited value in early neuropathy. Nerve conduction studies (NCSs) are the most sensitive and specific DPN detection method. Material and Method: This study was conducted to detect the sensory-motor neuropathy in type 2 diabetes mellitus by clinical examination and nerve conduction study. In this study, 50 cases of type 2 diabetes were taken. Results: Majority of patients presented with tingling sensation and followed by burning feet. In 50 patients of type 2 diabetes mellitus on clinical examination, most of the patients had involvement of both upper and lower limbs followed by only lower limb involvement, whereas on NCS, there were more patients with both upper and lower limbs involvement as compared to clinical studies. Maximum patients had symmetrical limb involvement clinically, but on NCS, the number of patients with symmetrical limb involvement was even more. Conclusion: It was found that patients with diabetes mellitus, diabetic peripheral neuropathy is highly prevalent, but in the majority of patients, it is subclinical. Sensitivity and negative predictive values of the neurological examination are low. Therefore, routine nerve conduction velocity measurement for the assessment of diabetic peripheral neuropathy appears to be warranted in these patients. Thus, the author concluded in this study, detection of neuropathy is earlier and significant with NCS compared to clinical.