IMPACT OF DURATION OF TYPE 2 DIABETES MELLITUS ON NCS BASED NEUROPATHY

Abstract

Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is an increasing worldwide health challenge that is linked to chronic comorbidities, such as diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN). The nerve conduction studies (NCS) are said to be a sensitive technique of early detection of neuropathy even in an asymptomatic patient.

Objective: To identify the relationship between nerve conduction study (NCS) parameters and duration of type 2 diabetes mellitus in newly diagnosed diabetic patients.

Methodology: This is a descriptive cross-sectional study, which was carried out at the Medical Ward of Allied Hospital, Faisalabad, within August 2025 and November 2025. Non-probability consecutive sampling was used to select 200 newly diagnosed (within 0-2 years) T2DM patients aged 18 -80 years. Patients who used alcohol, were pregnant, had neuromuscular conditions or acute diabetic complications were excluded. Baseline demographic information (age, gender, BMI, and duration of diabetes) were measured. To determine nerve conduction velocity (NCV) and amplitude (AP), nerve conduction studies were conducted. Data analysis was done with SPSS version 25. Correlation coefficient was used by Pearson to find out the correlation between duration of diabetes and NCS parameters.

Results: The average age of the sample was about 55 11 years old with a minor margin of males predominating. There was a strong negative correlation between NCV and duration of diabetes (r ≈ -0.28, p < 0.05) and other amplitude also demonstrated the trend of decline with the duration of diabetes.

Conclusion: Nerve conduction abnormalities in newly diagnosed T2DM patients exist and become more severe with the progression of the disease. NCS may be a useful screening tool in the early detection of diabetic neuropathy whereby early intervention can be done to minimize the morbidity in the long term.