Evaluation of motor nerve excitability by subtreshold stimuli in diabetic polyneuropathy Diabetik polinöropatide eşik alti uyarilarla motor sinir eksitabilitesinin değerlendirilmesi

Purpose: The aim of this study is to evaluate motor nerve excitability in diabetic polyneuropathy. Materials and methods: Forty-five patients were enrolled and divided into 3 groups (Group I; diabetic patients without polyneuropathy, Group II; diabetic patients with polyneuropathy, Group III; healthy controls,). The stimuli were given to tibial nerve for 100μs with 5 mA increments starting from 5 mA up to the maximum of 100mA. The CMAP amplitudes appearing with each current of stimulus were divided into the maximum CMAP amplitude for each patient. This value is considered as the ratio of recruited motor units (RRMU) for that current. The mean value of the RRMU for each stimulus current in groups II and III were compared with the healthy controls. Results: The statistical analysis revealed no significant difference in diabetic patients in terms of nerve excitability with the subtreshold stimuli. Besides, the current that is needed to achieve the maximum CMAP amplitude did not differ between the groups. Conclusion: Giving subtreshold stimuli with increasing currents did not give additional information about motor nerve impairment in diabetic patients. Pam Med J 2013;6(3):144-148