Efficiency Of Intravenous Immunoglobulin, Corticosteroids And Immunosuppressives Within The Treatment Of Diabetic Amyotrophy

Diabetic amyotrophy is a subacute asymmetric neuropathy with pains, hypotrophy and weakness in the muscles of upper leg and difficulty walking. The goal of our research was to compare efficiency of intravenous immunoglobulins, corticosteroids and immunosuppressives within the treatment of 12 patients with the complication of diabetes mellitus. The diagnosis was set on the basis of Electromyoneurographical findings and by exclusion of the other forms of neuropathies, and, within the treatment, we applied intravenous immunoglobulins in 2 patients; intravenous high-dose pulse corticosteroids in 3 patients, the oral corticosteroids in 5 patients, and immunosuppressives in 2 patients. The assessment of muscular strength on lower limbs was realized by The Medical Research Council scale, and the function of walking was assessed on the basis of the walking distance (distance in meters that the patient is able to pass before they have to stop due to weakness in legs). After a year from the beginning of treatment, nine patients (75%) had the excellent recovery (regular walking), and 3 patients (25%) had the moderate recovery (moderate weakness in legs, however, they can walk independently). We achieved the best results in the treatment applying intravenous immunoglobulins and pulse doses of steroids, which is in accordance with results in the majority of the other studies (all 5 patients treated by the stated drugs had excellent recovery), and poorer results by the application of peroral steroid1s and immunosuppressives.