Diabetic peripheral neuropathy causes pain, sensory loss, and foot risk; multimodal assessment enables earlier diagnosis and improved patient management.
Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) is a prevalent and disabling complication of diabetes, associated with pain, sensory deficits, gait instability, and increased risk of foot ulcers and amputation. Conventional diagnostic methods, such as nerve conduction studies, primarily identify established disease and may overlook early or autonomic involvement. A multimodal assessment integrating neurophysiological, autonomic, and sonographic techniques offers the potential for earlier detection, improved diagnostic accuracy, and optimized patient management.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
SCREENING
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
75
Nerve conduction studies (NCS) are widely regarded as the gold standard for evaluating large-fiber peripheral nerve function. They measure conduction velocity, latency, and amplitude, providing objective evidence of axonal loss or demyelination. While highly specific, NCS often detect abnormalities only in established diabetic peripheral neuropathy, limiting their sensitivity for early or subclinical disease.
High-resolution ultrasound (HRUS) is a non-invasive imaging tool that allows structural evaluation of peripheral nerves. It can measure cross-sectional area (CSA), visualize fascicular pattern, and detect nerve enlargement or structural abnormalities. In diabetic peripheral neuropathy, HRUS provides complementary information to functional tests and may identify early or subclinical changes.
Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine,Assiut university
Asyut, Asyut Governorate, Egypt
Sensitivity of nerve conduction studies for diagnosing diabetic peripheral neuropathy
Percentage of participants with clinically diagnosed diabetic peripheral neuropathy who have abnormal nerve conduction study results (reduced amplitude and/or reduced conduction velocity) at the baseline visit.
Time frame: Baseline (single study visit)
Correlation between tibial nerve cross-sectional area and tibial motor conduction velocity
Correlation coefficient between tibial nerve cross-sectional area measured by high-resolution ultrasound and tibial motor nerve conduction velocity at the baseline visit.
Time frame: Baseline (single study visit)
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.
Autonomic testing provides insight into small-fiber and autonomic nervous system function, often impaired early in diabetic peripheral neuropathy. Heart rate variability (HRV) during deep breathing and postural change is a simple, non-invasive method to detect cardiovascular autonomic dysfunction