Neuroelectrophysiologic features in patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy

Objective To analyze the clinical and electrophysiological features in patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN). Methods Clinical data about 84 DPN patients who underwent neuroelectrophysiologic test in General Hospital of Armed Police Forces from September 2010 to May 2012 were retrospectively analyzed. Results Neuroelectrophysiologic test showed that the abnormal rate of sensory nerve conduction was higher than that of motor nerve conduction (P ＜ 0.05), the amplitude was lower than conduction velocity and higher in lower extremities than in upper extremities (P ＜ 0.05), and the abnormal rate of skin sympathetic reflect was higher in lower extremities than in upper extremities (P ＜ 0.01). Limb numbness and hypoesthesia were the most common clinical symptom and sign in DPN patients. The course of DPN, blood glucose and glycosylated hemoglobin levels were higher in patients with abnormal nerve conduction than in those with normal nerve conduction (P ＜ 0.05). Conclusion Sensory nerve injury is the most common clinical and neuroelectrophysiologic manifestation in DPN patients. DPN should be diagnosed according to electrophysiological test, nerve conduction and skin sympathetic reflect. The longer the course of DPN is, the poorer the blood glucose control level is, and the worse the neuroelectrophysiologic test is.