Clinical characteristics and risk factors of diabetic peripheral neuropathy of type 1 diabetes mellitus patients

Abstract Background Small nerve fibers are more easily injured than large ones for diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN). The study investigated the characteristics and related risk factors of DPN of T1DM patients using nerve conduction velocity and CPT values, which provided evidences for its early diagnosis. Methods 70 T1DM patients and 48 healthy volunteers were included. All subjects accepted nerve conduction velocity and CPT examinations for four limbs. Detailed clinical indicators were recorded. CPT values were compared between TIDM group and control group. The risk factors affecting DPN were further explored. Results Compared with the control group, CPT values under three frequencies were decreased in T1DM group. The abnormality rate of sural nerves was higher than that of median nerves ( P P  = 0.035). However, abnormal rate of left sural nerve was higher than that of right side under 250 Hz and 5 Hz current stimulus ( P  = 0.001, Conclusions The study proved that DPN of T1DM are mainly lower limb-injured., amyelinated and thin myelinated nerve fiber-involved. CPT can be combined with traditional nerve conduction velocity examination, which will help the diagnosis of DPN of T1DM earlier and more comprehensively.