Motor nerve impairment in diabetic patients with symmetrical distal sensory polyneuropathy: A single nerve fiber conduction velocity study. Issue 1 (8th October 2013) - Sunter, Gulin
ABSTRACT Introduction: In this study we investigated the clinical utility of single fiber conduction velocity (SF‐CV) testing in the evaluation of motor nerve function in diabetic patients with signs and symptoms of symmetrical distal sensory polyneuropathy (DSP). SF‐CV findings were compared with conventional nerve conduction studies (NCS). Methods: Twenty‐eight consecutive type 2 diabetic patients with clinically diagnosed DSP were studied. Results: SF‐CV testing of the tibial nerve was abnormal in 16 (57.1%) patients. Twelve patients with normal conventional motor NCS had abnormal findings by tibial SF‐CV. SF‐CV testing of the tibial nerve was significantly superior to all other motor NCS. Conclusions: SF‐CV testing of the tibial nerve often demonstrates motor nerve impairment in diabetic patients with sensory DSP when conventional NCS are normal. Muscle Nerve49: 84–89, 2014