A clinical profile of diabetic polyneuropathy in Mandalay General Hospital

ABSTRACT

A cross-sectional study of risk factors, associated complications and nerve conduction studies on diabetic polyneuropathy was conducted on 68 diabetics with and without clinical evidence of polyneuropathy in Mandalay General Hospital over a 9-month study period. Diabetic polyneuropathy was seen in older age groups. the duration of diabetes is a significant risk fator for diabetic polyneuropathy. there was no association with fasting blood sugar levels, smoking, hypertension and hypercholestrolaemia in our study. Diabetic polyneuropathy has increased association with retinopathy, though ischaemic heart disease and nephropathy have no association in our study. On performing nerve conduction studies, diabetic polyneuropathy patients have significantly lower nerve conduction velocity than those without polyneuropathy. Subclinical polyneuropathy was detected in 15 per cent of diabetic cases, without clinical evidence of polyneuropathy. It is concluded that early detection of diabetic subclinical polyneuropathy is possible with electrophysiologic studies. Early detection of subclinical polyneuropathy and early detection and alleviation of risk factors and intensive therapy to control blood glucose may prevent irreversible nerve damage and associated complications.