| Abstract: | This paper reports the application of peri-pheral motor ne'rve conduction velocity (MNCV)determination and 6 noninvasive autonomicfunctional tests for the early diagnosis of dia-betic neuropathy. Among the 150 cases of new-ly discovered diabetics investigated during ex-tensive survey in Sha.nghai, 135 cases of tlia.-betic neuropathy were diagnosed. In this group,patients with both neurologic symptoms andsigns were found in 56 cases, only symptomswith no signs in 50, only sign.s with no symp-toms in 8 and both symptoms and signs absentbut diagnosis. based on special tests in 21. The motor nerve conduction velocity of themedian n., ulnar n., and fibular n. were ascer-tained on JD Type II electromyography. Thevelocity was found to be significantly slowerin diabetics with neuropathy than the controlgroup. H-reflex and tibial n. Iatency werefound to be prolonged in diabetics as comparedwith the control group. There is negative cor-relation 'oetween the MNCV and fa.sting plas-ma glucose and positive correla.tion between theH-reflex and fasting plasma glucose, indicatingthat hyperglycemia may be closely related tothe pathogenesis of diabetic neuropathy. No correlation was found between the MNCV, ageand duration of d[iabetes. For early diagno,sis of diabetic neuropathy,besides the symptoms and signs, motor nerveconduction velocity and 4 0f the 6 noninvasiveautonomic ne'rve function test are valuable andreliable diagnostic procetlures. Differentialdiagnosis from other causes of neuropathy isalso emphasized. |
