Use of the auditory brainstem response testing in the clinical evaluation of the patients with diabetes mellitus

The objective of the study was to assess whether a relationship exists betw een the auditory brain stem response (ABR) results and diabetes mellitus wi th and without complications. In the clinical and audiometry laboratory set tings, diabetic patients with and without complications (retinopathy and/or nephropathy) were examined using ABR testing, and the results were interpr eted for their applicability in clinical practice. Fifty-nine patients with diabetic retinopathy or nephropathy (study group) and 20 diabetic patients without any known diabetic complication (control group) were assessed with audiometry and ABR testing. ABR revealed that the absolute latencies and i nterwave intervals of the waves I through V were prolonged significantly in the study group when compared to the control group. The amplitudes of wave s I through V were diminished in the study group when compared to the contr ol group, but a statistical significance was present only for wave V amplit ude. Quantitative (wave I to wave V amplitude ratio) and qualitative analys es of the ABR waves showed abnormal waveforms in the study and control grou ps by 55.2 and 27.6%, respectively. There is a brain stem neuropathy in dia betes mellitus which can be assessed with ABR testing. The likelihood of en countering a diabetic complication increases as the ABR results become abno rmal. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.