Study of Nerve Conduction in Type 2 Diabetes Subjects

Background: Diabetic peripheral neuropathy is a frequent and disabling complication of type 2 diabetes mellitus, often remaining clinically silent in its early stages. Nerve conduction studies provide an objective means of detecting subclinical neural dysfunction and assessing the extent of peripheral nerve involvement. Material and Methods: This cross-sectional study included 160 participants, comprising 80 individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus and 80 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Motor and sensory nerve conduction studies were performed under standardized laboratory conditions using surface electrodes. Upper and lower limb nerves were evaluated for latency, amplitude, and conduction velocity. Glycaemic status and duration of diabetes were documented in diabetic subjects. Statistical comparisons between groups and correlation analyses with disease duration and glycaemic control were undertaken. Results: Baseline demographic variables were comparable between diabetic subjects and controls. Individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus demonstrated significant abnormalities in both motor and sensory nerve conduction parameters, characterized by delayed latencies, reduced amplitudes, and slowed conduction velocities. Lower limb nerves exhibited greater impairment than upper limb nerves, indicating a length-dependent pattern of neuropathy. Sensory nerves, particularly distal nerves, showed marked involvement. Nerve conduction velocities demonstrated significant inverse associations with both duration of diabetes and levels of glycated hemoglobin, suggesting progressive and metabolically driven neural dysfunction. Conclusion: Type 2 diabetes mellitus is associated with widespread electrophysiological evidence of peripheral nerve involvement affecting both motor and sensory fibers. The severity of nerve conduction abnormalities increases with longer disease duration and poorer glycaemic control. Nerve conduction studies serve as a valuable objective modality for early detection and evaluation of diabetic neuropathy.