Role of interdigital sensory nerve conduction study as a noninvasive approach for early diagnosis of diabetic peripheral neuropathy

This study designed to compare more distal techniques of electrodiagnostic testing, including interdigital sensory nerve conduction studies (NCSs), with conventional approaches and to investigate its role in confirming the early stages of polyneuropathy.MethodsThis cross-sectional study was performed in the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Department of Hazrat Fatemeh Reconstruction Surgery Hospital. Thirty one symptomatic diabetic outpatients and 23 asymptomatic nondiabetic subjects included in our study. We performed nerve conduction studies on five sensory nerves consist of the dorsal sural nerve, medial plantar nerve, digital branches of the interdigital nerves to toes I, II, and III (as a new antidromic technique). In this study, all techniques applied with a surface stimulator and pick-up electrodes.ResultsIn the group of patients, 9 (29%) and 22 (71%) subjects had impaired and normal routine NCSs, respectively. Interestingly, the results of interdigital nerve studies were abnormal in the 17 out of 22 patients with normal routine NCSs. Also, 11 and 13 subjects had impaired medial plantar nerve and dorsal sural nerve conduction studies, respectively. Accordingly, with this new method, the prevalence of detectable diabetic neuropathy increased from 46% to 83%.DiscussionWe conducted this study intending to demonstrate the application of a new technique for early diagnosis of diabetic polyneuropathy, especially in the presymptomatic and subclinical neuropathies. The dig...
Source: Journal of Diabetes and Metabolic Disorders - Category: Endocrinology Source Type: research