Type -2 diabetes mellitus and auditory brainstem responses-a hospital based study

INTRODUCTION: Diabetes mellitus comprises a group of common metabolic disorders that share the phenotype of hyperglycemia. The metabolic dysregulation associated with DM causes secondary patho-physiological changes in multiple organ systems. The brainstem auditory electric responses represent a useful, non invasive and simple procedure to detect both acoustic nerve and CNS damage. MATERIAL & METHODS: The study was carried out in the department of ENT, JNMC from 2008 -2010. The study included two groups, (i) diabetic group (n=25) (ii) Control group (n = 25). Diabetic group included patients attending Endocrinology OPD and ward. The equipment used for recording evoked response audiometry is IHS-BERA. Model number TH72312HT. Year of manufacture 2006. RESULTS: Mean age of control group was 45.7 years. In the study group 13 (52%) were males where as 12 (48%) were females. Mean age of study group was 46.8 years. There is no significant difference between age groups of controls and cases. Significant difference was found in latencies of wave III and interpeak III-V while highly significant difference was found in latencies of wave V and interpeak I-III, I-V between control and study group at 70 dB. Highly significant difference was found in latencies of wave III, V and interpeak I-III and I-V while significant difference was found in interwave III-V between control and study group at 80 dB. Significant difference was found in latencies of wave V and interpeak III-V while highly significant difference was found in wave III and interpeak I-III, I-V between control and study group at 90 dB. CONCLUSION: BERA is a simple, non-invasive procedure to detect early impairment of acoustic nerve, and CNS pathways, even in the absence of specific symptoms. This study suggests that if BERA is carried out in diabetic patients; involvement of central neuronal axis can be detected earlier.