Multimodal evoked potentials in diabetics

In the present study we performed brainstem auditory evoked potentials, pattern electroretinogram and visual evoked potentials for the identification of a subclinical involvement of central auditory and visual pathways in diabetes mellitus. We tested 30 patients, and a neurophysiological central nervous system involvement was demonstrated in 23.3% of them. The mean values of patients and controls were significantly different for most of the evoked potential parameters. Some of these parameters were linearly related with duration of the disease, clinical score and peripheral nerve conduction velocities.