Impact of type ii diabetes mellitus on phrenic nerve conduction velocity and respiratory functions

Abstract EN

Background: Diabetes is a common cause of peripheral neuropathy.

Phrenic neuropathy may be an important, albeit rare, complication of diabetes.

Diaphragmatic function should be considered in any patient with unexplained breathlessness and orthopnoea.

Neurological problems of the diaphragmatic muscle occur when a disease process decreases or terminates the impulse of respiratory stimuli originating in the brain.

The diaphragm receives its sole muscular neurologic impulse from the phrenic nerve.

Phrenic neuropathy may impair respiratory functions.

Aim of the work: To compare respiratory functions and phrenic nerve electrophysiological activity in diabetics and non-diabetics.

Methods: An electrophysiological study of the phrenic nerve was performed, using motor nerve conduction velocity study, to determine its possible involvement in 30 diabetic patients and 30 non-diabetics.

Respiratory functions (FVC, FEV1, FEV1/FVC ratio, and FEF25-75) were also measured.

Results: Most of diabetics showed impaired respiratory functions.

Twelve patients of all diabetics showed pathological phrenic nerve latency.

Phrenic nerve conduction velocity is significantly lower in those diabetics who have impaired respiratory functions than those without respiratory function impairment.

Delayed phrenic nerve latency correlated clearly with impaired respiratory functions, fasting blood sugar and glycosylated hemoglobin.

Conclusion: Diabetes is correlated with delayed phrenic nerve conduction velocity and respiratory function impairment