Skin potential parameters in Type II diabetic patients [Tip II diyabetik hastalarda deri potansiyel parametreleri]

Abstract

Purpose: To determine the skin potential parameters in patients with Type II diabetes mellitus. Material and methods: Skin potential parameters of 35 patients with Type II diabetes mellitus at Cumhuriyet University Faculty of Medicine Department of Internal Medicine were studied and measured. All the patients and the control subjects were nonsmokers and the patients had no diabetic microvascular complications. Skin potential records were taken from the left arm. The records were kept in DC mode with a sensitivity of 0.02 V/cm. To record the skin potential response (SPR) the ulnar nerve was stimulated with silver EEG electrodes. Skin potential level (SPL) was evaluated as the amplitude of quiteness just before the electrical stimulus. Latency was evaluated as the time between the stimulus artifact of stimulus and the beginning of SPR in seconds. Results: While there was no statistical difference between two groups in SPL and latency (p>0.05), SPR was found to be decreased significantly in patients' group (p<0.01). Conclusion: Skin potential parameters, along with other parameters, can be used as a diagnostic parameter in patients with diabetes mellitus.