Phrenic nerve function in type 1 diabetic patients with diaphragm weakness and peripheral neuropathy

Phrenic nerve latency was studied in 14 male type 1 diabetic patients with impaired diaphragm function and in 14 healthy control subjects. The diabetics showed significantly decreased values regarding inspiratory vital capacity and forced volume in 1 s compared with the control subjects. All other lung function parameters were similar in both groups. Although motor and sensory nerve conduction studies provided evidence for peripheral neuropathy in all patients, phrenic nerve latencies turned out to be normal. These results rule out a neuropathic disorder of the phrenic nerve. Thus, impaired diaphragm function in type 1 diabetic patients is not caused by phrenic neuropathy.