Electrodiagnostic evaluation in diabetes mellitus: A study based on case series in 72 diabetic patients

Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) is one of the most common complications of diabetes; so, a nerve conduction study (NCS) is conducted to detect the type of neuropathy that is present. To discuss the NCS findings in diabetic patients. An observational study was conducted in the Physiology Department of AIIMS, Bhopal, in collaboration with the Medicine Department of the Institute. Seventy-two diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients were examined using NCS (Nihon Kohden Neuropack XI Machine). Microsoft Excel was utilized for data compilation and result analysis. Based on NCS, 94% of patients were abnormal, and 6% were normal. Of abnormal patients, 89% had asymmetrical involvement, and 5% had symmetrical involvement. About 74% had mixed neuropathy, 11% had motor neuropathy, and 10% had sensory neuropathy. Mixed involvement was seen in 60% of patients and axonal involvement in 35% of patients, and 5% were normal. Lower limb involvement was seen predominately. The most common bilaterally involved motor nerve was the peroneal nerve, seen in 49% of cases, whereas the most common bilaterally involved sensory nerve was the sural nerve involved in 59% of cases. The left tibial nerve was the most common unilaterally involved motor nerve seen in 32% of cases, and the left sural nerve was the most common sensory nerve involved in 54% of cases. Asymmetric sensorimotor involvement with mixed involvement (axonal + demyelinating) was seen in diabetic patients. Peroneal and sural nerves were the most common bilaterally involved motor and sensory nerves, respectively. Similarly, the left tibial and left sural nerves were the most common unilaterally affected motor and sensory nerves, respectively.