1989 Volume 32 Issue 1 Pages 43-49
In order to evaluate central nervous system function in diabetics, auditory brainstem response (ABR) was examined in 66 diabetics and 72 age-matched healthy subjects.
There was a significant sex difference in ABR latencies in diabetics and healthy subjects. ABR in diabetics, both male and female, showed a significant prolongation in latency V and interpeak latency I-V, III-V compared with healthy subjects. The rate of occurrence of wave II in diabetics was significantly lower than in healthy subjects. No significant correlations were noted between ABR latencies and click, low-tone and middle-tone hearing thresholds The prevalence of ABR latency abnormalities was lower than nerve conduction velocity (NCV), vibratory perception threshold (VPT) and ECG R-R interval coefficient of variation (CV R-R) abnormalities. There were significant correlations between ABR latencies and NCV, VPT, and CV R-R. A close relationship between ABR latencies and CV R-R, in particular, was suspected. ABR latencies in diabetics with diabetic complications were significantly longer than in those without them. However, diabetic complications affected ABR latencies less than NCV, VPT and CV R-R.
In conclusion, there is a suggestion of brainstem auditory tract dysfunction in diabetics.
