A CROSS SECTION STUDY INVESTIGATING THE EFFECT OF GLYCAEMIC CONTROL ON ELECTRODIAGNOSTIC PARAMETERS IN TYPE II DIABETIC PATIENTS

Abstract

Background: Diabetes is a chronic metabolic disease caused by either lack of insulin secretion or decreased sensitivity of the tissues to insulin which results in elevated blood glucose. Peripheral neuropathy is the most common and intractable complication of diabetes. In this research project, we will be conducting a pilot study to observe the effect of glycaemic control on physiological functioning of nerve with the help of neurophysiological parameters in context with the duration of diabetes.

Objectives:

To study the relationship between quality of glycemic control and severity of neurological changes in context with the duration of diabetes.

Methodology:60 type II diabetic patients visiting diabetic OPD (Medicine) participated in the study. The patients were divided in to 2 groups of Group A having (n= 30) HBA1C < 10 and  Group B having (n =30) HBA1C >10). Nerve conduction study of motor (tibial nerve) and sensory nerve (sural nerve) were performed in Neurophysiology lab. Neurophysiological parameters of two groups will be analyzed and compared.

Results:  When the neurophysiological parameters of 2 groups (Group A having HBA1C<10 and Group B having HBA1C >10) were analyzed and compared it was observed that there was significant difference between the electrophysiological parameters. In Group B, motor and sensory nerve conduction study was greater and significantly affected than Group A. Also, it was observed that sensory nerve conduction findings were greater affected as compared to motor findings.

When the two groups were compared according to the duration, it was observed that good glycaemic control reduces the neuropathy changes. As the duration of diabetes increases (more than 8 years) neuropathic changes remain evident even if there is good glycaemic control.

Conclusion: The present study strongly suggests that glycaemic control is related with the severity of neuropathic changes. It also suggests that poor glycaemic control is a risk factor to be considered for development of diabetic neuropathy in context with the duration of diabetes

Keywords- Diabetes Mellitus, glycaemic control, nerve conduction study