Affiliations: [a] Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Cukurova University, Faculty of Medicine, Balcalı Hospital, Adana, Turkey | [b] Department of Endocrinology, Cukurova University, Faculty of Medicine, Balcalı Hospital, Adana, Turkey | [c] Department of Radiology, Cukurova University, Faculty of Medicine, Balcalı Hospital, Adana, Turkey | [d] Fizyocare Medical Center, Ankara, Turkey
Correspondence:
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Corresponding author: Bayram Kelle, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Cukurova University, Faculty of Medicine, Balcalı Hospital, Sarıçam, Adana 01330, Turkey. Tel.: +90 322 338 6060 3161; GSM: +90 505 3581193; Fax: +90 322 338 6429; E-mail:bayramkelle@yahoo.com
Abstract: BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the correlations of the
cross-sectional area (CSA) of peripheral nerves in diabetic peripheral
neuropathy (DPN) patients based on ultrasound (US) with clinical and
demographic characteristics. METHODS: A DPN patient group (n= 53) and a matched healthy control
group (n= 53) underwent US imaging of the sciatic, tibial and median nerves.
The CSAs of these nerves were recorded, and their associations with pain
intensity according to the visual analog scale (VAS) score and the Leeds
Assessment of Neuropathic Symptoms and Signs (LANSS) pain scale score,
diabetes mellitus (DM) duration, body mass index (BMI), HbA1c level and
blood glucose levels were evaluated. RESULTS: The CSAs of the examined nerves in diabetic patients were
larger than those in healthy individuals (p< 0.05). No correlations were
detected between the CSAs of the examined nerves and the parameters of
interest (p> 0.05), including the VAS and LANSS pain scale scores (p= 0.32 and
p= 0.31, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: US is a sensitive diagnostic technique for detecting
DPN; however, it does not indicate disease severity.
Keywords: Ultrasonography, diabetic peripheral neuropathy, cross-sectional area, body mass index, Leeds Assessment of Neuropathic Symptoms and Signs
