SINGLE-FIBER F WAVES COMPARED WITH CONVENTIONAL SURFACE F WAVES, AND THEIR UTILITY IN DETECTING EARLY DIABETIC NEUROPATHY

Abstract

Introduction: The single-fiber F-wave (SFF-wave) technique assesses the entire length of single motor fibers using a concentric needle. Herein we investigated the utility of this approach in the detection of early diabetes-related neuropathy, and compared it with the use of conventional surface F waves (CF waves). Methods: Sixteen patients with diabetes and either no neuropathy or mild neuropathy were assessed and compared with 16 age- and height-matched control participants. Results: Both CF and SFF waves were abnormal in all 5 patients who had mild neuropathy. However, SFF waves demonstrated subclinical abnormalities in 7 of 11 patients (64%) with no neuropathy, whereas only 2 of these pat..