Bulbocavernosus reflex latency in the investigation of diabetic impotence

Impotence in males is a well recognised complication of diabetes mellitus, commonly held to be due to an autonomic neuropathy. The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of periphero-conus neuropathy in diabetic impotence. Nineteen diabetic males seeking treatment for loss of potency had bulbocavernosus reflex latency (BCRL) and sacral reflex latencies (SRLs) performed. The conduction studies indicated that impotence in these cases was associated with peripheral neuropathy in 21% of patients and that BCRL and SRLs are sensitive and useful diagnostic tests.