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Single‐fiber conduction velocity test allows earlier detection of abnormalities in diabetes
Author(s) -
Padua Luca,
Stålberg Erik,
Caliandro Pietro,
Muscogiuri Giovanna,
Pazzaglia Costanza,
Sorice Gian Pio,
Granata Giuseppe,
Salomone Enrica,
Pontecorvi Alfredo,
Giaccari Andrea
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
muscle and nerve
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.025
H-Index - 145
eISSN - 1097-4598
pISSN - 0148-639X
DOI - 10.1002/mus.21935
Subject(s) - nerve conduction velocity , medicine , polyneuropathy , diabetes mellitus , sural nerve , diabetic neuropathy , nerve fiber , cardiology , nerve conduction , endocrinology , surgery , anatomy
The purpose of this study was to determine whether single‐fiber conduction velocity (SF‐CV) of a small number of axons increases sensitivity for identification of motor nerve conduction alterations in patients with diabetes. Methods Twenty‐one consecutive diabetic patients in good metabolic control were studied. For each patient, conventional (C‐CV) and SF‐CV results were correlated with the presence of neuropathic symptoms. Results Nine of 21 patients reported symptoms suggestive of mild nerve impairment. Three patients had abnormal sural nerve CV, 1 of whom also had abnormal motor nerve conduction. Eighteen patients had normal findings on conventional tests, 3 of whom had slowing of SF‐CV. Conclusions SF‐CV is able to detect mild myelin damage with higher sensitivity than conventional tests. The use of SF‐CV may be a helpful tool in the early identification of diabetic polyneuropathy, and it may be useful for tailoring an approach to diabetic polyneuropathy. Muscle Nerve, 2011