Retrogression of Nervous Fibers According to the Age of Patients with Diabetes Mellitus (DM)

[Purpose] This study was performed to discover the possible onset time of diabetic neuropathy by age of diabetic patients, and to provide the knowledge necessary for preventing or managing diabetic neuropathy. [Subjects] The subjects of this study were outpatients who visited D Hospital Department of Neurology with complaints of significant neuropathic symptoms including dullness, numbness and paraesthesia. [Methods] Stimulations of 5 Hz, 250 Hz and 2,000 Hz were generated with a Neurometer CPT (Neurotron Inc., Baltimore, MD, USA) and delivered selectively to C fibers, A-delta fibers and A-beta fibers. The intensity of the stimulations of 5 Hz, 250 Hz and 2,000 Hz was incrementally increased as much as 0.01 mA. [Result] The results of this experiment show that the period of retrogression of nervous fibers was different significantly according to the age of patients with diabetes mellitus. Especially, in the case of individuals in their 50's, A beta, A delta, and C fibers in both the right and left lower limbs significantly changed within a period of 2 months. In the case of individuals in their 60's, A beta and C fibers of the right lower limb meaningfully changed 2 months after the onset of the disease, and A beta, A delta, and C fibers of the left lower limb also significantly changed within a period of 2 months. [Conclusion] We discovered that patients suffering from DM especially in their 50's or 60's should be thoroughly followed for their condition, right from the onset of DM, in order to prevent the retrogression of nervous fibers.