Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 30, 2026

Screening of Axonal Degeneration in Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Using Ultrasonography and Nerve Conduction Studies
Published on: January 11, 2019
Subclinical autonomic neuropathy in Saudi type 2 diabetic patients
Taha S Ahmed1, Mohamed A Al-Maatouq, Ali S Al-Tuwaijri
1Department of Physiology (29), College of Medicine, King Khalid University Hospital, PO Box 2925, Riyadh 11461, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Tel. +966 (1) 4682895.
Objective:
To compare the results of autonomic function tests obtained from diabetic patients who had no symptoms or signs of somatic or autonomic neuropathy with those obtained from control subjects.
Methods:
We studied 32 diabetic Saudi patients (17 males, 15 females) and 34 control subjects (17 of either gender) at King Khalid University Hospital, Riyadh, in the period 2004-2005. The mean age of patients was 50.3+/-5.04, and of controls was 49.9+/-5.86 years. In diabetics, the mean duration of the disease was 8.7+/-3.1 years (range 5-15 years), and the mean glycated hemoglobin was 7.76 +/-1.14. The same observer performed the autonomic function tests.
Results:
In diabetics, the resting heart rate (beats/min) was 80.5+/-4.13, mean orthostasis ratio was 1.06+/-0.035, mean Valsalva ratio was 1.19+/-0.036, mean forced sinus arrhythmia was 12.66+/-0.8 beats/min, mean diastolic blood pressure increase in response to isometric exercise was 13.03+/-1.36 mm Hg, and sympathetic skin response was present in only 18 (56.3%) out of 32 patients. These results were significantly different from the control group (p<0.001).
Conclusion:
Diabetic patients, with no symptoms or signs of neuropathy, can have impaired autonomic function. We consider this subclinical autonomic neuropathy.
Related Concept Videos
Peripheral Arterial Disease II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Evaluation
Diabetic Neuropathy
Type II Diabetes II: Pathophysiology
Type II Diabetes Mellitus III: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnosis
Type I Diabetes III: Clinical Manifestations
Type I Diabetes II: Pathophysiology