Sensory nerve conduction study of median ulnar and radial nerves in type 2 diabetic individuals in the age group 40-80 years

Abstract

Aim: The study intends to find out the effect of Type 2 diabetes on the sensory nerve of the upper extremity.

Method: This research includes 100 subjects, both male and female, within the age group of 40-80 years. The subjects were divided into two groups, A and B. Where Group A includes 50 subjects which diagnosed type 2 diabetic mellitus. Furthermore, Group B holds 50 normal healthy subjects investigated and normal healthy subjects without diabetes mellitus. Written consent was obtained from the subjects who were ready to be part of this study. Orthodromic sensory nerve conduction studies of median, ulnar, and radial nerve were assessed by using EMG diagnostic device for bilateral upper extremities in both groups. The sensory nerve conduction study included nerve conduction velocity (m/s), latency (ms), and amplitude (μV). The data analyzed using paired 't' test within the group and unpaired 't' test between two groups, using computational statistical software Graph Pad Prism. 'p' value < 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant.

Results: The sensory nerve amplitude of all three nerves reduced the velocity of the median & ulnar nerve was reduced and prolonged latency of ulnar nerve in type 2 diabetics as compared to the Non-diabetics group.

Conclusion: This study concluded that the type 2 diabetics group has severe sensory nerve affections of the median and ulnar nerve. The therapist should examine the upper extremity of all diabetic subjects, and hand care should be taught to the patients to prevent further complications of diabetic peripheral neuropathy.

Keywords: Biological sciences; Endocrinology; Health sciences; Medial ulnar & radial; Nerves; Neurology; Neuroscience; Sensory nerve conduction study; Type 2 diabetes.

Figure 1

NEUROWERK EMG diagnostic device.

Figure 2

a: Subject position for median nerve sensory conduction study. b: Electrode placement for median nerve sensory conduction study.

Figure 3

a: Subject position for ulnar nerve sensory conduction study. b: Electrode placement for ulnar nerve sensory conduction study.

Figure 4

a: Subject position for radial nerve sensory conduction study. b: Electrode placement for radial nerve sensory conduction study.

Graph 1

Comparison of mean value of median sensory nerve conduction study of T2DM and NONDM.

Graph 2

Comparison of mean value of ulnar sensory nerve conduction study of T2DM and NONDM.

Graph 3

Comparision of mean value of radial sensory nerve conduction study of T2DM and NONDM.