[A clinical study on the R-R interval of ECG in diabetic neurogenic bladder]

Urodynamic investigations and the measurement of the R-R interval on ECG have been applied to assess the extent of autonomic and peripheral neuropathy in 12 patients with diabetes mellitus. Objective evidence of neuropathic bladder dysfunction was detected in 6 patients (50%) and these cases were included under 2% of the coefficient of R-R interval variation. The commonest abnormality was hypotonic, large bladder and marked residual urine, which was usually asymptomatic. It is concluded that in diabetic patients this simple autonomic function test is a good guide to vesical function.