Abstract:Aim To explore the correlation between the standardized F wave latency and the carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) peripheral neuropathy (DPN). Methods120 DPN patients who visited our hospital from March 2022 to May 2023 were selected as the study subjects, and were divided into thickened group (n=57) and non-thickened group (n=63) based on CIMT. The general information and standardized F-wave latency of two groups of patients were compared, and multivariate linear regression analysis was used to investigate the relationship between standardized F-wave latency and CIMT. Restricted cubic spline model was used to analyze the dose-response relationship between standardized F-wave latency and CIMT thickening risk, and ROC curve was used to analyze the predictive value of standardized F-wave latency for CIMT thickening. According to the degree of DPN, the patients were divided into severe group (n=42) and non severe group (n=78). Multivariate Logistic regression was used to analyze the risk factors of severe DPN, and subgroup analysis was conducted on severe DPN in different CIMT. Results The minimum, average, and maximum values of standardized F-wave latency were higher in the thickened group than those in the non-thickened group, and the difference between the two groups was statistically significant (P<0.05). There was a non-linear dose-response relationship between the minimum, average, and maximum values of standardized F-wave latency and the risk of CIMT thickening (P<0.05). As the minimum, average, and maximum values of standardized F-wave latency increased, the risk of CIMT thickening increased. The minimum, average, and maximum values of standardized F-wave latency were positively correlated with CIMT (P<0.05). Long duration of T2DM and elevated standardized F-wave latency were independent risk factors for severe DPN (P<0.05). The overall DPN severity was more severe in the thickened group, and severe DPN occured more frequently in individuals with a minimum standardized F-wave latency ≥13.12 ms, a mean standardized F-wave latency ≥17.04 ms, or a maximum standardized F-wave latency ≥19.35 ms. The minimum, average, and maximum values of standardized F-wave latency had good predictive value for CIMT thickening. Conclusion The standardized F-wave latency of DPN is closely related to CIMT. As the minimum, average, and maximum values of standardized F-wave latency increase, the risk of CIMT thickening increases, and together they affect the severity of DPN.