Prevalence of autonomic disturbances in diabetics as compared with non-diabetics and healthy subjects.

The prevalence of autonomic disturbances in diabetics was investigated using a direct questionnaire. Compared to non-diabetics and healthy subjects, diabetics had a much higher incidence of paresthesia in the limbs (41%) and impotence (66%). These two symptoms proved to be important in diabetic autonomic neuropathy. Other symptoms of autonomic disturbances in diabetics such as postural vertigo, abnormal sweating, diarrhea and constipation, abnormally cold or burning feet, itching, thirst, urinary bladder disturbance and libido decrease in females seemed to be non-specific for diabetic autonomic neuropathy. Paresthesia in the limbs, abnormally cold or burning feet, urine bladder disturbance and impotence were thought to be related to some degree to the duration, severity and complications of diabetes respectively.