A cross-sectional descriptive study of clinical autonomic dysfunction in diabetic peripheral neuropathy

Background: Adults having type 2 diabetes mellitus satisfying inclusion and exclusion criteria will be included. Consent of those who fit into inclusion criteria taken. 100 patients were analysed on the basis of history, clinical presentations, investigations. Patients presenting with signs and symptoms of neuropathy were accessed by nerve conduction studies (NCV), autonomic testing, heart rate variation with deep breathing, blood pressure response to standing. Arterial blood gas analysis, and CT /MRI also done. Methods: 100 patients of type 2 diabetes were taken and study of autonomic dysfunction was done for 3 months across tertiary health care centre. Results: Out of 100 diabetic patients under study 54 patients (54%) had diabetic neuropathy. Out of these 54, distal sensory motor neuropathy- most common (77%), sensory neuropathy- 24%. Axonal neuropathy was more prevalent than demyelinating neuropathy. Out of 100, 51 (51%) patients have autonomic neuropathy. Peripheral neuropathy was most common complication in which distal sensory motor polyneuropathy were common. Most common symptom of autonomic neuropathy was postural dizziness followed by erectile dysfunction. Conclusions: Most common complication of type 2 DM is neuropathy. Most common neuropathy was distal sensory motor polyneuropathy whereas most common symptom of diabetic neuropathy was postural dizziness. Other autonomic dysfunction was change in blood pressure and heart after standing.