Background: Prediabetics are known to have IR and studies suggests that hyperinsulinemia induced IR causes the neurons to undergo degeneration which contributes to the development of peripheral neuropathy. The objective of the present study was to establish an association between Nerve conduction velocity (NCV) and Insulin resistance (IR) in prediabetics as compared to healthy controls.

Material and methods:Twenty six prediabetic subjects (diagnosed as per 2010 ADA guidelines) between 40 to 65 years of age in both sex and twenty six controls (age, gender, BMI matched) were enrolled for the study. Blood samples were collected for measuring fasting blood sugar (FBS) and fasting insulin (FI) level. IR was calculated using HOMAIR index. NCV was recorded on SchwarzerTopas EMG – 4channel EMG/NCV/EP – system for all the subjects. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 21 software and a p value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results: There was a significant reduction in NCV of bilateralperoneal nerve (p<0.001) and sural nerve (p<0.001) in prediabetics as compared to controls. A significant negative association was also obtained between IR and NCV of bilateralperoneal& left sural nerve.

Conclusion:The results obtained in our study indicates that with increase in insulin resistance there is delay in nerve conduction in motor and sensory nerves in prediabetics.