The diagnosis of polyneuropathy in impaired glucose tolerance and impaired fasting glucose: clinical and electrophysiological studies

Disorders of motor, sensorial and autonomic fibers called peripheral neuropathy. The fibers are affected by themselves or alltogether by various causes. Impaired fasting glucose (IFG) and Impaired Glucose Tolerance (IGT) are called pre-diabetes. In recent years there are numerous clinical and laboratory studies searching forpolyneuropathy in prediabetic conditions. There are many studies indicating polyneuropathy in prediabetic patients.In this study, we investigated various aspects of prediabetic (IFG and IGT) polyneuropathy: Plasma cholesterol, triglyceride, uric acid, insulin resistance and abdominal obesity. Detailed neurological examination, electrophysiological examination (routine electromyographic values, dorsal sural nerve and cutaneous silent period) are recorded.In this prospective study, it is demonstrated that there is a polyneuropathy in IFG and IGT patients in high percentage. In early stages of polyneuropathy, it is important to find out the pathologies in the dorsal sural nerve conduction, dorsal sural radial amplitude ratio and tibial nerve F-wave latencies. Detailed neurological history, neurological and detailed sensorial examination and the detailed electrophysiological recordings are very important in determining early stage of polyneuropathy and types of the affected fibers.