Body sway in diabetic neuropathy.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the influence of peripheral neuropathy on body sway assessed by posturography.


METHODS
The age-matched study subjects included 10 insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) patients with peripheral neuropathy (DN), 23 IDDM patients without peripheral neuropathy (D) according to the San Antonio Consensus Conference guidelines, and 21 control subjects (C). All subjects with symptoms and/or clinical signs of postural instability were excluded from the study.


RESULTS
The trace surface was significantly larger in the DN than in the C and D groups (P < 0.05), and the trace length was longer in the DN than in the C and D groups (P < 0.01). Mean velocity was faster in the DN than in the other two groups (P < 0.001). A direct relationship was found between the parameters of posturography and some parameters of the nerve conduction velocity.


CONCLUSIONS
Diabetic patients with peripheral neuropathy demonstrate a relative deficit in their ability to maintain posture. Posturography allows an early disclosure of the failure of postural control.
Uccioli
L
L
Department of Endocrinology and Internal Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Italy.
Giacomini
P G
PG
Monticone
G
G
Magrini
A
A
Durola
L
L
Bruno
E
E
Parisi
L
L
Di Girolamo
S
S
Menzinger
G
G
D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000503:physiopathology*; D003929:Diabetic Neuropathies / Q000503:physiopathology*; D003930:Diabetic Retinopathy / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010543:Peroneal Nerve / Q000502:physiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D011187:Posture; D011434:Proprioception; D011507:Proteinuria / Q000503:physiopathology; D012016:Reference Values; D012684:Sensory Thresholds; D013497:Sural Nerve / Q000502:physiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D014732:Vibration
D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin