Preventive assessment of nerve damage in diabetes

Diabetes often damages the nerve fibres in the legs and arms, a condition known as diabetic neuropathy.
Early detection of diabetic neuropathy is important and, at least for now, the only realistic way to slow the progression of the disease.

Diabetes often damages the nerve fibres in the legs and arms, a condition known as diabetic neuropathy. It is one of the most common complications of diabetes and one of those with the greatest impact on quality of life. Its best-known consequence is burning pain, but neuropathy can also cause balance problems, impaired digestion, difficulty passing urine and erectile dysfunction, and it is indirectly linked to poor wound healing and falls.

Diabetic neuropathy develops gradually and silently. In its early stage it causes no pronounced symptoms, even though changes in the nerve fibres are already present. Yet it is only in this early stage that we can influence the disease. Early detection of diabetic neuropathy is therefore important and, at least for now, the only realistic way to slow the progression of the disease.

The nerve function assessment programme for people with diabetes includes a consultation and symptom assessment, a neurological examination and measurements of nerve fibre function (targeted EMG, Sudoscan small fibre measurement and a basic assessment of autonomic nerve fibres using respiratory sinus arrhythmia). The examination takes 45 – 60 minutes. It concludes with a review of the results and individual advice on monitoring, measures to prevent neuropathy and, if necessary, treatment. The examination is performed by a neurologist and a nurse.

Preparing for the examination
Please bring a list of the medicines you take regularly. Recent laboratory results are welcome (glucose, blood lipids, complete blood count, kidney function tests) if you have had them done recently. On the day of the examination, do not apply cream or other ointments to your legs; apart from this, no special preparation is needed.