To Study the Effect of Vitamin C Supplementation on Brainstem Auditory Evoked Response in Diabetic Patients with Neuropathy

Abstract

Aims: (1) To study the effect of magnesium supplementation on glycaemic control and Brainstem auditory Evoked Potential in diabetics (NIDDM) with neuropathy. (2) To assess the value of auditory evoked potential alterations in predicting the stability and severity of auditory pathway disease related to diabetes. Methods: Of the 120 diabetic neuropathy patients group I (n=60) consisted of those receiving metformin, gabapentin and magnesium supplementation (300 mg/day). Group II (n=60) consisted of those receiving metformin and gabapentin only. Serum magnesium level, fasting blood glucose and latency of brainstem evoked potential were investigated before and after treatment at 4, 8 and 16 weeks. Results: In group I -58.33% of patients belong to the 51-60 age group. 23.33% belongs to 41-50 age group and 18.33% belongs to 61-70 age group of patients. In group II - 51.60% belongs to 51-60 age group.31.6% belongs to 41-50 age group and 16.6% belongs to 61-70 age group. No case was found in > 70 years of age. Mean duration of diabetes in group I was 20.83±0.83 as compared to 22.83±0.83 in group II. In present study mean serum magnesium level in group I before treatment (i.e: first visit) was 1.51±0.0174 mg/dl as compared to 1.77±0.0184 mg/dl and values of fasting blood glucose before and after treatment were 144.96±0.095 mg/dl and 130.24±0.79. The difference was considered significant. Improvement in wave latency post magnesium supplementation was significant. Conclusion: Serum magnesium levels were lower in diabetics with polyneuropathy in both groups and supplementation produced significant improvement. BAER latency and blood glucose levels showed significant improvement on magnesium supplementation.