[Detection of peripheral diabetic neuropathy. A reappraisal of electrophysiological data]

In addition to motor and sensory nerve conduction, monosynaptic triceps surae reflex, amplitude of median nerve voltage and response of extensor digitorum brevis and soleus muscles were investigated in 29 diabetic patients. These parameters were altered earlier than motor and sensory nerve conduction, which considerably increased the incidence of subclinical peripheral neuropathy (90% of the patients). It was also found that sensory fibers were affected earlier than motor fibers. The electrically detected neuropathy correlated with duration of diabetes and control of glycaemia.