Abstract
Background: Diabetic sensorimotor polyneuropathy (DSPN) is one of the most common and disabling complications of diabetes mellitus. The early diagnosis is crucial to avoid progression of the disease and decrease the morbidity. Peripheral nerve function is objectively assessed by nerve conduction studies (NCS), and neuropathic changes can be detected. Objective: To define the role of neurological testing in the diagnosis of diabetic sensorimotor polyneuropathy, localization of the nerve damage, distinguishing DSPN from other peripheral nerve lesions, and early diagnosis. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted in tertiary care hospitals of Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, from June 2023 to December 2023. Patients were recruited using convenience sampling to yield 250 diabetic patients with peripheral polyneuropathy. A structured questionnaire was used for collecting data and nerve conduction studies were used to assess peripheral nerve involvement. Data has been analyzed in SPSS version 22. Results: The mean age of participants was 50.24 years and 61.6% of the participants were males. 67.6% of the patients had type 2 diabetes mellitus and 57.6% of them had their diabetes for over 2 years. In many cases, there were also neuropathic symptoms, including numbness, tingling, or burning sensations (78.4%), loss of sensation in the feet (79.6%) and weakness in the lower limbs (72.0%). 53.9% of the participants had foot ulcers. Additionally, 78.0% had had an NCS before. The research showed that there was a very high prevalence of both sensory and motor symptoms of diabetic sensorimotor polyneuropathy. Conclusion: DSPN, characterized by sensorimotor polyneuropathy is common among diabetic patients and is associated with substantial sensory and motor loss. Nerve conduction studies are an important tool in early detection, localization and evaluation of peripheral nerve involvement. Their use can aid in the early diagnosis, better clinical management, and possibly lower the risk of diabetic neuropathy complications occurring during the long-term