Reproducibility of Nerve Conduction Study Parameters: A Comparison of Normal and Diabetic Patients with Neuropathy.

, Han, Eun Young; , Kim, Chang Hwan

Original Article

Journal of the Korean Academy of Rehabilitation Medicine 2007;31(6):699-704.

Han, Eun Young , Kim, Chang Hwan

Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Inha University College of Medicine, Korea. jacob.kim@inha.ac.kr

정상 및 당뇨병성 신경병증에서 신경전도 검사의 재현성 연구

한은영, 김창환

인하대학교 의과대학 재활의학교실

Abstract

Objective
To verify the reproducibility of nerve conduction studies, identify the most reproducible parameters and evaluate the acceptable ranges of parameters for patients with diabetic neuropathy.
Method
Motor and sensory nerve conduction studies with F waves were studied in the median, ulnar, peroneal, tibial and sural nerves on two occasions. Fifty patients diagnosed with diabetes were assigned to an intra-rater reproducibility group (n=30) and another group (n=20) to an inter-rater reproducibility group; not in sequence. Twenty-two healthy volunteers were randomly assigned to an intra-rater reproducibility group as controls.
Results
In the control group, the median motor distal latency (r=0.968) was the most reproducible parameter. For the intra-rater examinations in patients with diabetes, the ulnar F wave (r=0.977) was the most reproducible parameter. For the inter-rater examinations in patients with diabetes, the median sensory latency (r=0.986) was the most reproducible parameter. The differences in the values, in repeated studies, were not statistically significant for both the intra-rater and inter-rater groups.
Conclusion
The nerve conduction study is an objective and highly reproducible test. F waves and other nerve conduction parameters were reproducible in patients with diabetic neuropathy. In repeated nerve conduction studies the parameters identified out of the acceptable ranges would be of great value in the evaluation of patients with diabetic neuropathy progression. (J Korean Acad Rehab Med 2007; 31: 699- 704)

Key Words: Nerve conduction, Reproducibility, Diabetic neuropathy