Peripheral Neuropathy and Macroangiopathy in Diabetes Mellitus

J Korean Assoc EMG Electrodiagn Med 2001;3(2):74-78.
Published online May 10, 2001.

Abstract

Objectives : To elucidate relationship between diabetic polyneuropathy and peripheral arterial disease and to evaluate diagnostic validity of clinical features for these complications of diabetes. Methods : Sixty-three patients with diabetes were enrolled in this study. Clinical parameters for polyneuropathy included sensory symptoms, weakness, sensory deficit, and decreased deep tendon reflex. Polyneuropathy was defined as abnormalities of 2 or more nerves in conventional nerve conduction study. For the clinical assessment of peripheral macroangiopathy, claudication, abnormal pulse, delayed capillary refill time, and dependent rubor sign were investigated. Diagnosis of macroangiopathy was established by means of impedance plethysmography. Results : Presence of diabetic polyneuropathy was not significantly correlated with peripheral macroangiopathy. Diagnostic validity of clinical parameters for polyneuropathy was 93.8% in sensitivity and 46.7% in specificity. In the macroangiopathy, the validity was 62.9% in sensitivity and 85.7% in specificity. Conclusion : These results suggest that diabetes had an independent association between the development of polyneuropathy and macroangiopathy. Furthermore, we conclude that clinical features would not be sufficient for complete evaluation of diabetic neurovascular complications and require objective diagnostic assessment.

Key Words: Diabetes, Neuropathy, Macroangiopathy