A comparison between different parameters in F-wave studies

Ulnar nerve F-waves were studied in 23 healthy volunteers and 27 diabetic patients. Latencies and chronodispersion were analyzed in each group. In the diabetic group all the parameters were normal in 14 patients (52%) and in 13 (48%) at least one parameter was altered. In these patients the most frequently altered parameter was the maximum latency (92%), followed by mean latency (85%), minimum latency (54%) and chronodispersion (54%). These findings suggest that maximum and mean latencies are better parameters to be analyzed in ulnar F-wave studies than minimum latency.