Study of brainstem auditory affection in Diabetic Patients

Abstract

Diabetic community is vast enough, giving researchers a very good reason to explore more in their world. One of their rarely probed complications is brainstem dysfunction. In this study, we investigated brainstem auditory evoked potential studies (BAEPs) in diabetic patients, as well as its associations with diabetic complications, especially diabetic microangiopathy. Our study was conducted on 40 diabetic patients having type I or type II. They were classified into two groups; group I (< 5 years duration of illness) and group II (> 5 years duration of illness). Their ages ranged from 20 to 59 years. The patients were examined clinically, neurologically and electrophysiologically. Brainstem auditory evoked potential studies, nerve conduction studies and flash electroretinography were performed to all patients. Urine analysis, instantaneous random blood sugar and funduscopy were also performed for patients. The brainstem auditory evoked potential studies of patients were compared to values of 30 normal subjects and their ages ranged, also, from 20 to 59 years. The diabetic patients experience brainstem dysfunction early in their disease course (before 5 years duration of the illness) that is increased as the disease duration increases. This dysfunction is evident by significant delay of wave V in diabetic patients as compared to normal individuals. Later, after 5 years duration of the illness, delay of wave III, further delay of wave V, prolongation of I-V IPL and decrease in amplitude of wave V occur. Diabetes type, I or II, has no different effect on BAEPs results.