Better Islet Function and Cardiovascular Autonomic Function in Chinese Type 2 Diabetic Patients with Pure Small Fiber Neuropathy than with Mixed Neuropathy

• DOI: 10.1007/s13300-021-01111-0
• Publication Date: 2021-08-02T09:10:18Z
• Authors: Chenxi Li; Weimin Wang; Wenyu Ni; Yu Jin; Simin Guo; Jiewen Jin; Chuhui Chen; Wei Chen; Yan Bi; Dalong Zhu
• Keywords: Glycated hemoglobin; Nerve fiber; Common peroneal nerve; Skin biopsy; Nerve biopsy; Diabetic Neuropathy

The clinical characteristics and outcomes of small fiber neuropathy (SFN) in Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) have not been thoroughly described. In this study, we investigated the metabolic neurological indexes prognosis T2DM based on skin biopsy. A total 34 healthy volunteers were recruited for biopsy to establish reference range intra-epidermal nerve density (IENFD), 89 attending Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital evaluated at baseline. Of these patients, 17 pure SFN nine mixed diabetic polyneuropathy (DPN) reassessed end follow-up. Glycated hemoglobin postprandial blood glucose levels lower (P = 0.005 P 0.041, respectively) C-peptide insulin higher 0.001 0.019, group than DPN group. partial correlation study showed that there was a negative between IENFD distal leg cardiovascular autonomic reflex test (CART) scores (r − 0.513, 0.001) after adjusting age duration diabetes. Only vitamin B12 level 0.028) motor conduction velocity (MCV) common peroneal 0.045) increased final visit while MCVs 0.025) tibial 0.047) decreased visit. Better islet function observed compared DPN. remained relatively stable during