[Brainstem auditory evoked potentials in diabetes mellitus].

It is well-known that diabetic patients develop peripheral and autonomic neuropathy, and recent review has also suggested the occurrence of central pathway abnormality in diabetics. In this article, we conducted the BAEP study on 61 cases of NIDDM and 11 cases of IDDM. Peak latency, interpeak latency (IPL) and peak amplitude of BAEPs were analyzed in each case. For further correlation, the motor and sensory nerve conduction velocities of median nerve, the blood sugar, the serum HbA1c were measured. Two nondiabetic groups, age and sex matched with NIDDM and IDDM groups, were used as control. In NIDDM group, the results showed prolongation of all peak latency and IPL except peak latency of wave II and wave IV in the left side and bilateral IPL III-V. There was no statistically significant amplitude difference between NIDDM and age-matched control group. The result of IDDM group revealed prolongation of all peak latency and IPL, except the right IPL III-V. As for amplitude, waves III and V in the right side and waves I and V in the left side were reduced as compared with the age-matched young control group. There was no statistically significant difference in all peak latencies and IPLs between NIDDM and IDDM groups. In both groups of NIDDM and IDDM, the MNCV and SNCV of median nerve were significantly delayed in conduction. The prolongation of III and V peak latency had a linear correlation with their amplitude reduction. In conclusion, both peripheral and central conduction dysfunction occur in both IDDM and NIDDM patients.