Evaluation of nerve conduction abnormalities and brainstem auditory evoked potentials in type 2 diabetes mellitus

40 type 2 diabetic individuals of both sex and 40 healthy controls were subjected to nerve conduction tests and brainstem auditory evoked potentials. There was a significant increase in the latencies of nerve conduction parameter in non insulin dependent diabetic individuals. There was a significant decrease in the amplitude and nerve conduction velocity of the peripheral nerves tested in diabetics. Brainstem auditory evoked potential also showed a significant increase in the absolute latencies of wave III and V and interpeak latencies of I-III, I-V and III-V. The latency delay and decrease in amplitude and nerve conduction velocity was significantly more pronounced in subjects with long duration of diabetes (7-15 years) when compared with short duration (0-7 years). The duration of diabetes had a profound effect on Brainstem auditory evoked potential which showed a statistically significant increase in the latency of wave V and I-V and III-V interpeak latencies