Brainstem Auditory Evoked Potential Abnormalities in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

BACKGROUND: Diabetes mellitus represents a syndrome complex in which multiple organ systems, including the central nervous system, are affected. AIM: The study was conducted to determine the changes in the brainstem auditory evoked potentials in type 2 diabetes mellitus. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross sectional study was conducted on 126 diabetic males, aged 35-50 years, and 106 age-matched, healthy male volunteers. Brainstem auditory evoked potentials were recorded and the results were analyzed statistically using student's unpaired t-test. The data consisted of wave latencies I, II, III, IV, V and interpeak latencies I-III, III-V and I-V, separately for both ears. RESULTS: The latency of wave IV was significantly delayed only in the right ear, while the latency of waves III, V and interpeak latencies III-V, I-V showed a significant delay bilaterally in diabetic males. However, no significant difference was found between diabetic and control subjects as regards to the latency of wave IV unilaterally in the left ear and the latencies of waves I, II and interpeak latency I-III bilaterally. CONCLUSION: Diabetes patients have an early involvement of central auditory pathway, which can be detected with fair accuracy with auditory evoked potential studies.