Comparative Study of Detection of Diabetic Neuropathy by Clinical Assessment and Nerve Conduction Study in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patient

Abstract

Objective: To compare the detection of diabetic neuropathy by clinical assessment and nerve conduction study in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients.

Study Design: Prospective comparative study.

Place and Duration of Study: Department of Medicine, Pak Emirates Military Hospital Rawalpindi Pakistan, Jan 2020 to May 2021.

Methodology: A total of 300 patients having type 2 diabetes mellitus for more than ten years were included in the study. Revised neuropathy disability score was calculated by the consultant medical specialist on all the patients to make a clinical diagnosis of neuropathy. Nerve conduction studies were performed in the Department of Neurology. Findings of both methods to diagnose the patterns of diabetic neuropathy were compared.

Results: Out of 300 patients suffering from type 2 diabetes mellitus, 188 (62.7%) were males, while 112 (37.3%) were females. The mean age of the study participants was 53.33±4.55 years, and the mean duration of diabetes mellitus was 11.22±5.71 years. Symmetrical neuropathy, motor polyneuropathy and sensory neuropathy had a statistically significant diagnostic pattern when assessed from clinical method and nerve conduction study (p-value <0.05).

Conclusion: Neuropathy had been a common finding among patients suffering from type 2 diabetes mellitus for more than ten years. A significant difference existed in diagnosing various patterns and types of neuropathies when clinical methods were compared with nerve conduction studies.