Comparison of inflammatory markers and nerve conduction studies in prediabetes and type two diabetes mellitus: A possible role in neuropathy.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Data on the role of anti- and proinflammatory markers in diabetes and prediabetes and their associations with diabetic neuropathy are limited. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine and compare the associations of inflammatory markers and nerve function with blood glucose levels among diabetic patients and prediabetic patients.

METHODS

This was a cross-sectional study consisting of 80 participants (40 diabetic patients and 40 prediabetic patients). The assessment involved a detailed history and neurological examination, including neuropathy symptom scoring (NSS) and the neuropathy deficit score (NDS), to grade neuropathy if present. Baseline investigations were performed, and HbA1c values were assessed in all the subjects. Serum TNFα and IL-10 levels were measured via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Nerve function was evaluated through a nerve conduction study. The data were subjected to an independent sample test.

RESULTS

The results revealed a significant increase in the concentrations of IL-10 ( = 0.016) and TNFα ( < 0.001) in diabetic patients compared with prediabetic patients. Nerve conduction velocity in the sural nerve (right side, = 0.019; left side, = 0.001) and ulnar nerve (right side, = 0.007; left side, = 0.005) was also lower in both limbs of diabetic patients than in those of prediabetic patients. Latency was greater in diabetic patients than in prediabetic patients.

CONCLUSIONS

The inflammatory markers TNF-α and IL-10 were significantly elevated in patients with diabetes compared with those with prediabetes, and these markers might contribute to neuropathy in patients with diabetes. However, no associations were found between inflammatory markers and nerve function.