Influence of neurotropic vitamins on the nerve conduction velocity in diabetic neuropathy

Abstract

In most cases of diabetic neuropathy, demyelinization processes on the nerve lead to considerable decreases in the nerve conduction velocity. It has up to now been possible to substantiate the therapeutic success of neurotropic vitamins only by more or less subjective parameters obtained from numerous studies. In the present investigation of 33 diabetics with polyneuropathies it was possible to show that the nerve conduction velocity is a parameter which can be measured objectively for the monitoring of the development of neuropathies. The increases in the nerve conduction velocity, which had decreased prior to the beginning of treatment, coincided closely with clinical evaluations. The therapeutic use of Neurobion was assessed on the basis of this criterion. The dosage plan for hospitalized patients differed from that for outpatients. In the case of inpatients who received high doses of vitamins, it was possible to substantiate the effect of Neurobion significantly in statistical terms by means of the corresponding increases in the nerve conduction velocity. There were different therapeutic results in both groups of patients. The outpatients receiving smaller single doses as well as a smaller total dose of Neurobion could not be treated as successfully as the inpatient. This dose effect that is apparent must be substantiated by further investigations in this area.