A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY OF BRAINSTEM AUDITORY EVOKED POTENTIALS IN PATIENTS WITH TYPE II DIABETES MELLITUS

Background: Type II diabetes mellitus (DM) is frequently associated with subtle neuronal dysfunction long before overt neuropathy develops. Brainstem Auditory Evoked Potential (BAEP) testing provides a non-invasive electrophysiological tool to detect early auditory-pathway involvement in such patients. Aim: To assess and compare BAEP parameters between individuals with Type II diabetes mellitus and healthy controls, and to examine correlations between glycaemic control and auditory-pathway conduction time. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from May 2026 to October 2026 in the Department of Physiology, Mahatma Gandhi Medical College and Research Institute, SBV (Deemed to be University), Puducherry, India Fifty participants (25 diabetic patients, 25 controls) aged 40–60 years were included. BAEP was recorded using standard 10–20 system electrode placement and click stimuli at 80 dB nHL. Absolute latencies of waves I, III and V and inter-peak latencies (I–III, III–V, I–V) were analyzed. Blood glucose and HbA1c levels were measured to assess metabolic control. Statistical analysis was performed using independent t-test and Pearson’s correlation; p < 0.05 was considered significant. Results: Diabetic patients showed prolonged absolute latencies of waves III and V and increased inter-peak latencies (I–III and I–V) compared to controls (p < 0.01). Wave I latency remained comparable between groups, suggesting central rather than peripheral involvement. A positive correlation was observed between HbA1c and I–V latency (r = 0.46, p = 0.02). Conclusion: BAEP reveals subclinical brainstem auditory pathway abnormalities in Type II diabetes, proportional to poor glycaemic control. Early screening through evoked potential testing may aid in preventing progressive neural impairment.