The purpose of this study was to evaluate clinical features of diabetic neuropahty. The clinical symptoms and signs were investigated in individuals with diabetes mellitus by a questionnaire of 17 items about motor, sensory, and autonomic symptoms and signs, and then electrodiagnostic study was performed.

One hundred and one patients with diabetes mellitus aged 31 to 88 years participated. The most frequent complaint was tingling sensation in the distal extremities and the most frequent sign was decreased or absent ankle jerk. The least frequent symtom or sign was motor weakness. Eighty point two percent of patients showed electrodiagnostic abnormalities. Abnormal ankle jerk, tingling sensation, and paresthesia in patients with abnormal electrodiagnstic study were 60.5%, 58.0%, and 29.6%, respectively. Clinical diabetic neuropahty was diagnosed of the patients when both tingling sensation and decreased ankle jerk were present.

We conclude that clinical symptoms and signs of diabetes mellitus may be useful for diagnosis of diabetic neuropathy.