Sensory nerve action potential and motor conduction velocity of the peroneal and posterior tibial nerves were determined in control(32 cases), diabetics without neuropathy(53 cases), and diabetics with neuropathy(59 cases). Ages of diabetics ranged from 28 to 77 years, the mean being 54. 1 years, while those of control ranged from 25 to 69 years, the mean being 52.9 years.
Sensory and motor nerves showed decreased conduction in diabetics without neuropathy and more so in diabetics with neuropathy. It was also apparent that sensory and motor nerve conduction decreased proportionately with the duration of diabetes, and with the level of the FBS.
Nerve conduction study is thought to help in objective and quantitative evaluation of peripheral nerve function in diabetes.
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