Electrophysiological Changes in Patients with Impaired Glucose Tolerance

ABSTRACT
The effect of impaired glucose tolerance on neuropathy is not well characterized. This study is performed to clarify the status of peripheral neuropathy in patients with impaired glucose tolerance with no symptoms of neuropathy. Twenty-two patients with impaired glucose tolerance with no signs of neuropathy, and 11 healthy controls are examined with electromyoneurography. We have found electrophysiological changes in 13 of 22 patients with IGT, and in only one case of the 11 subjects in the control group. Mean H reflex latencies of the right and left medial vastus muscles were significantly longer in the patient group than the control group (17.0±1.7 vs. 15.6±2.5 msec, p<0,02; and 17.1±1.8 vs. 15.7±2.4 msec; p<0,01, respectively). Our results indicate that electrophysiological changes of the peripheral nerves are very common in patients with impaired glucose tolerance. Early diagnosis and management of impaired glucose tolerance may be particularly important in order to prevent the development of chronic complications.