BODY SWAY IN DIABETIC NEUROPATHY

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the influence of peripheral neuropathy on body s way assessed by posturography. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS - The age-m atched study subjects included 10 insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) patients with peripheral neuropathy (DN), 23 IDDM patients with out peripheral neuropathy (D) according to the San Antonio Consensus C onference guidelines, and 21 control subjects (C). All subjects with s ymptoms and/or clinical signs of postural instability were excluded fr om 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 dire ct relationship was found between the parameters of posturography and some parameters of the nerve conduction velocity. CONCLUSIONS - Diabet ic patients with peripheral neuropathy demonstrate a relative deficit in their ability to maintain posture. Posturography allows an early di sclosure of the failure of postural control.