title: Temperature sensitivity of some nerve conduction parameters in diabetic polyneuropathy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We tested whether in diabetic polyneuropathy the temperature dependence of the median nerve conduction parameters reflects the severity of neuropathy.
  
  
  METHODS
  We validated an electrophysiological score against clinical signs of polyneuropathy. Electroneurography was performed at temperatures from 20-40 degrees C in diabetic patients with mild, moderate and severe neuropathy and controls.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The electrophysiological score reflected the clinical severity of polyneuropathy. At room temperature there were significant differences among groups in almost all parameters. In thermal sensitivity studies were significant differences in distal and proximal motor and sensory areas and in sensory conduction velocities. These four parameters normalized to 1 degree C change in temperature also significantly differed among the four groups and were largest in controls and smallest in severe polyneuropathy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The use of an integral parameter--areas are essentially amplitudes integrated over time--increases the probability of detecting decreased thermal sensitivity of peripheral nerves in diabetes.
authors.forename: Eszter
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Hidasi
authors.forename: Péter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Diószeghy
authors.forename: Miklós
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Káplár
authors.forename: Ferenc
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Mechler
authors.forename: Dániel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bereczki
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003929:Diabetic Neuropathies / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004594:Electrophysiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008475:Median Nerve / Q000503:physiopathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009431:Neural Conduction; D010525:Peripheral Nerves / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011115:Polyneuropathies / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013696:Temperature