Early identification of peripheral neuropathy based on sudomotor dysfunction in Mexican patients with type 2 diabetes.

BACKGROUND: Type 2 Diabetes in Mexico has a high prevalence, 16-87% of patients may experience peripheral neuropathy. Early detection can prevent or halt its progression. The performance of Sudoscan in detecting neuropathy was compared to the Michigan Neuropathy Screening Instrument (MNSI). The aim was to identificate small fibers neuropathy. METHODS: Patients type 2 diabetes received both MNSI and sudomotor function assessment through measurement of electrochemical skin conductance (ESC) in the hands and feet. RESULTS: Two hundred twenty-one patients with neuropathy according to MNSI B had lower hands and feet ESC, regardless of diabetes duration. Among the 170 patients who had had diabetes for at least 5 years, 76 of them with normal MNSI B had abnormal hands or feet ESC; this was also the case in 28 out of 51 patients with diabetes than 5 or more years. In contrast, only 5 patients in the first group and 1 in the second group had abnormal MNSI B with normal ESC. Using MNSI B as a reference, abnormal hands or feet ESC (< 60 µS and 70 µS respectively) had a sensitivity of 97%, positive predictive value of 87% to detect neuropathy in patients with longer diabetes duration. The group with shorter diabetes duration, the sensitivity of abnormal hands or feet ESC to detect neuropathy was 91% while the positive predictive value was 88%. CONCLUSIONS: The Sudoscan device, which does not require any preparation, is noninvasive, easy and rapid to perform, can be useful in the early diagnosis peripheral neuropathy in type 2 diabetic.

Neuropathy-specific alterations in a Mexican population of diabetic patients.

BACKGROUND: Neuropathy is one of the major complications of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Our first aim was to determine the clinical characteristics of a population of diabetic patients with different types of neuropathy. Our next goal was to characterize the cytokine profile (IL-6 and IL-10), nerve growth factor (NGF) and circulating cell-adhesion molecules in these patients. Finally, we aimed to compare the renal function among the groups of neuropathic patients. METHODS: In a cross-sectional study, we included 217 diabetic patients classified in three groups: sensory polyneuropathy with hypoesthesia (DShP) or hyperesthesia (DSHP), and motor neuropathy (DMN). Two control groups were included: one of 26 diabetic non-neuropathic patients (DNN), and the other of 375 non-diabetic (ND) healthy subjects. The participants were attending to the Mexican Institute of Social Security. RESULTS: The circulating levels of NGF were significantly lower in diabetic patients, compared to healthy subjects. The range of IL-6 and IL-10 levels in neuropathic patients was higher than the control groups; however, several samples yielded null measurements. Neuropathic patients also showed increased circulating levels of the adhesion molecules ICAM, VCAM, and E-Selectin, compared to the ND group. Moreover, neuropathic patients showed reduced glomerular filtration rates compared to healthy subjects (82-103 ml/min per 1.73 m2, data as range from 25th-75th percentiles), especially in the group with DMN (45-76 ml/min per 1.73 m2). CONCLUSIONS: Some particular alterations in neuropathic patients included -but were not limited to- changes in circulating NGF, cell adhesion molecules, inflammation, and the worsening of the renal function. This study supports the need for further clinical surveillance and interventions considering a neuropathy-related basis.

[Prevalence of urinary tract symptoms in women with diabetes mellitus]. / Prevalencia de síntomas urinarios en mujeres con diabetes mellitus.

BACKGROUND: The objective was to evaluate the prevalence of urinary tract symptoms and the impact in the quality of life in women with diabetes, the association with DM and neuropathy evolution time and glycemic control. METHODS: A cohort of women from the DiabetIMSS program was evaluated from January 2011 to 2013. The personal history, time of DM diagnosis, neuropathy, urinary symptoms, glycemic control and quality of life impact were noted. RESULTS: A total of 169 women were evaluated. The median age was 58 years (29-85) and DM main evolution time was 9 years (0.5-31). Urinary tract symptoms were present in 128 (75.7 %) patients. Stress and urge incontinence were predominantly present (45.3 and 40.6 % respectively), followed by obstructive and irritative symptoms (25 and 10.1 % respectively). The impact in the quality of life was mild-moderate in 91.1 % of the patients. At least one criteria for neuropathy was noted in 154 (91.1 %) patients. Neuropathy evolution time was longer in the symptomatic group (12 vs 4.8 months). Symptoms were mainly present in patients with more than one year of neuropathy; p < 0.05. CONCLUSION: There is a high prevalence of urinary tract symptoms in diabetic women. The only associated risk factor was neuropathy. No significative association was found between the rest of the factors.

Introducción: la diabetes mellitus (DM) conlleva un aumento de la ingesta de líquidos y del gasto urinario por el estado hiperosmolar al que induce a los que la padecen. El objetivo fue evaluar la prevalencia de síntomas urinarios en mujeres con DM, su impacto en la calidad de vida y su asociación con el tiempo de diagnóstico de DM, neuropatía y control glucémico. Métodos: en una cohorte de mujeres del programa DiabetIMSS evaluamos, de enero de 2011 a enero de 2013, sus antecedentes, neuropatía y síntomas urinarios, control glucémico e impacto en la calidad de vida mediante entrevista, medición de peso, exámenes paraclínicos y cuestionarios (ICIQ-SF, IPSS y QoL). Resultados: entrevistamos 169 mujeres con mediana de edad de 58 años (29-85) y mediana al diagnóstico de DM de 9 años (0.5-31). Presentaron síntomas urinarios 128 (75.7 %), principalmente incontinencia urinaria de esfuerzo y urgencia (45.3 y 40.6 %), síntomas obstructivos (25 %) e irritativos (10.1 %). Su impacto en la calidad de vida fue de leve a moderado (91.1 %). Presentaron neuropatía 154 (91.1 %), con un tiempo mayor de evolución en las pacientes sintomáticas (12 frente a 4.8 meses), igualmente prevalecieron los síntomas urinarios en aquellas con neuropatía de más de un año de evolución, p < 0.05. Conclusión: la prevalencia de síntomas urinarios en mujeres diabéticas es elevada, con el tiempo de evolución de neuropatía como único factor asociado. El tiempo de evolución de DM y una determinación de HbA1c no evidenciaron asociación significativa.

[Cerebral Blood flow velocity spectrum by transcranial doppler ultrasound in patients with brain death clinical criteria]. / Espectro de velocidad del flujo sanguíneo cerebral por ultrasonido Doppler transcraneal en pacientes con criterios clínicos de muerte cerebral.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate cerebral blood flow (CBF) direction, speed, and shape of Doppler profile in patients with clinical criteria of brain death (BD). PATIENTS: A total of 42 consecutive patients with clinical criteria for BD were included. MEASUREMENTS AND INTERVENTIONS: After anemia, hypothermia and hypocapnia were ruled out; confirmatory electroencephalogram (EEG) and a complete transcranial Doppler ultrasonography (TCDU) profile of circle of Willis and basilar arteries were done in all patients. Patients continued with mechanical ventilation and support in the Intensive Care Unit. RESULTS: All EEG reported generalized theta and delta waves, which were associated with a TCDU profile showing small systolic peaks without diastolic wave. CBF velocities of < 10 cm/sec were recorded in all patients. Only four patients had reverberating flow. At follow-up, cardiac arrest occurred in all patients at a mean of 2 +/- 0.84 days. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with clinical criteria of BD frequently have slow wave neuronal electrical activity on EEG that anticipates cardiac arrest. In these patients, TCDU detects an early and severe drop in CFB that is incompatible with life. TCDU should be done when other confirmatory tests like EEG suggest some retention of brain function.

Plasmaféresis en el síndrome de Guillain-Barré / Plasmapheresis in Guillain-Barre syndrome

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of early therapeutic plasmapheresis in severely affected patients with Guillain-BarrÚ syndrome (GBS). PATIENTS AND METHOD: Patients between 16 to 70 years of age, with GBS according to NINCDS criteria, in stage > or = 3 of Huges severity score and with less than 7 days of onset of symptoms were admitted for therapeutic plasmapheresis. All patients completed a total of five sessions of plasma exchange every other day using 25 albumin and saline in a 1:1 proportion. Follow-up was performed for 6 months. Friedman and Wilcoxon tests were done to establish differences within groups. RESULTS: A total of 34 patients were admitted to the study. The time span between onset of symptoms and admission to the study was 4 days (median). Fourteen (41) required mechanical ventilation. Clinical progression of the syndrome was observed during the first two sessions of plasma-pheresis. Improvement in motor function by Huges score was observed only after fourth session of plasma exchange (p < 0.05). Two patients did not improve, and one died. CONCLUSIONS: Clinical improvement in GBS during early therapeutic plasmapheresis occurs only after the fourth session of plasma exchange.

[Plasmapheresis in Guillain-Barre syndrome]. / Plasmaféresis en el síndrome de Guillain-Barré.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of early therapeutic plasmapheresis in severely affected patients with Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS). PATIENTS AND METHOD: Patients between 16 to 70 years of age, with GBS according to NINCDS criteria, in stage > or = 3 of Huges severity score and with less than 7 days of onset of symptoms were admitted for therapeutic plasmapheresis. All patients completed a total of five sessions of plasma exchange every other day using 25% albumin and saline in a 1:1 proportion. Follow-up was performed for 6 months. Friedman and Wilcoxon tests were done to establish differences within groups. RESULTS: A total of 34 patients were admitted to the study. The time span between onset of symptoms and admission to the study was 4 days (median). Fourteen (41%) required mechanical ventilation. Clinical progression of the syndrome was observed during the first two sessions of plasma-pheresis. Improvement in motor function by Huges score was observed only after fourth session of plasma exchange (p < 0.05). Two patients did not improve, and one died. CONCLUSIONS: Clinical improvement in GBS during early therapeutic plasmapheresis occurs only after the fourth session of plasma exchange.