title: Motor nerve decline does not underlie muscle weakness in type 2 diabetic neuropathy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2) patients may have decreased muscle strength. This decline can have multiple causes, among them diabetic polyneuropathy (DPN). We sought to determine the effect of nerve deterioration on muscle strength in DM2 patients with and without DPN.
  
  
  METHODS
  Nineteen DM2 patients with DPN (DPN group), 15 DM2 patients without DPN (DC group), and 18 healthy subjects (HC group) were recruited. We determined motor and sensory nerve function of the lower extremity. Isometric dynamometry was performed to determine maximum torque of the ankle joint.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The DPN group had significantly diminished nerve function and muscle strength (P < 0.05) compared with both other groups. Only muscle strength was lower in DC subjects compared with HCs. No significant correlations were found between nerve function and muscle strength.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results indicate that reduced ankle joint torque in DM2 patients with and without DPN is independent of the presence of disturbed nerve function.
authors.affiliation: Department of Movement Sciences, Nutrition and Toxicology, Research Institute Maastricht, Faculty Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University, P.O. Box 616, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands. herman.ijzerman@maastrichtuniversity.nl
authors.forename: T Herman
authors.initials: TH
authors.lastname: Ijzerman
authors.forename: Nicolaas C
authors.initials: NC
authors.lastname: Schaper
authors.forename: Tom
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Melai
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Blijham
authors.forename: Kenneth
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Meijer
authors.forename: Paul J B
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Willems
authors.forename: Hans H C M
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Savelberg
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001786:Blood Glucose; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000503:physiopathology*; D003929:Diabetic Neuropathies / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004576:Electromyography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009046:Motor Neurons / Q000502:physiology*; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000502:physiology; D018908:Muscle Weakness / Q000503:physiopathology*; D009410:Nerve Degeneration / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011984:Sensory Receptor Cells / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose