Comparison of Nerve Conduction Studies in Geriatric Normal and Diabetic Subjects

Background and objectiveDiabetes mellitus is one among the disease that affects the peripheral nervous system worsely and ageing too has its impact over the peripheral nerve functions. Nerve conduction study is used as the best tool to diagnose peripheral neuropathy. This study aims at the comparison of nerve conduction studies in aged diabetic individuals and their normal counterparts. Method The study group consists of 30 diabetic male subjects in the age group of 60-80 years in whom other neurological disorders were ruled out and the control group consists of 30 non-diabetic male subjects in the same age group without any neurological disorders. Blood sugar values were estimated by fully automatic analyzer method. Nerve conduction studies were done by Jaeger-Toennies-Neuroscreen plus. The amplitude and the nerve conduction velocity of the tibial nerve for the motor component and sural nerve for sensory component were studied and compared. Blood sugar values were correlated with sensory and motor NCVs. Result The amplitude and the NCV of sensory nerve conduction were markedly reduced in diabetic subjects with extremely significant -p- value when compared with non-diabetic controls. The amplitude and NCV of the motor nerve conduction were also reduced in diabetic subjects. With increasing blood sugar values there was a progressive decrease in both sensory and motor nerve conduction velocities. ConclusionFrom the present study it is concluded that there is a significant decrease in the nerve conduction study parameters, both sensory and motor system in diabetic subjects.