Diagnosis of diabetic neuropathy - abstract

Diabetic neuropathy is not a single entity but a group of disorders which exhibit a wide range of natural histories and clinical manifestations. Nerve damage appears to begin early in the course of diabetes mellitus, subtly worsening with time and eventually becoming clinically evident. Pathological classification of the diabetic neuropathies separates them into two groups: predominantly large-fibre and small-fibre disease - a classification which allows for a better understanding of the varied clinical manifestations. The clinical features of diabetic neuropathy vary considerably; onset may be abrupt or insidious, progression rapid, slow or relapsing and disability ranging from trivial to severe. The diagnosis of diabetic neuropathy requires a carefull and detailed history, through clinical examination and the use of eletrodiagnostic studies. These allow for the correct localisation, deternmination of extent of nerve involvement and separation into the correct clinical type of diabetic neurapathy (AU)