Numbness and paresthesia in bilateral toes and soles, and disproportional sweating restricted to face and trunk are suitable symptoms useful for the diagnosis of diabetic symmetric polyneuropathy.

UNLABELLED: Aims/Introduction: In order to diagnose diabetic symmetric polyneuropathy (DSPN) more simply and accurately, we identified symptoms that correlated with neurological functions and existed more frequently in diabetic than non-diabetic subjects. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The relationships between 10 symptoms (numbness or paresthesia in toe and sole, numbness in hand, pain in foot or hand, coldness in legs, painful leg cramp, dizziness on standing, sweating restricted to face/trunk and frequent constipation/diarrhea) and clinical background, defined as DSPN and cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy (CAN) by the criteria proposed in the statement of the American Diabetes Association, and seven quantitative nerve function data were evaluated in 593 diabetic patients in Wakayama Medical University Hospital (WMUH). Furthermore, the prevalence of various symptoms was examined by three questionnaires: a WMUH survey (999 diabetic outpatients), a Nationwide survey (1524 male diabetic outpatients under a primary-care physician) and a Control survey (501 non-diabetic subjects). RESULTS: Bilateral 'numbness in toe and sole', 'paresthesia in toe and sole', 'pain in foot' and 'sweating restricted to face/trunk' were significantly associated with diabetes duration, retinopathy, probable and confirmed DSPN, possible and advanced CAN, and all or six nerve functions. Questionnaire surveys clarified that symptoms that are not rare (>15%) and more frequent in diabetic than non-diabetic subjects were bilateral 'numbness in toe and sole', 'paresthesia in toe and sole', 'coldness in legs', 'dizziness on standing' and 'sweating restricted to face/trunk'. CONCLUSIONS: Therefore, bilateral 'numbness in toe and sole', 'paresthesia in toe and sole' and 'sweating restricted to face/trunk' are suitable symptoms useful for the diagnosis of DSPN. (J Diabetes Invest, doi: 10.1111/j.2040-1124.2011.00124.x, 2011).

Pro198Leu missense polymorphism of the glutathione peroxidase 1 gene might be a common genetic predisposition of distal symmetric polyneuropathy and macrovascular disease in Japanese type 2 diabetic patients.

UNLABELLED: Aims/Introduction: We have previously reported that the Pro198Leu missense polymorphism in the glutathione peroxidase 1 (GPx-1) gene was associated with frequent macrovascular disease (MVD). Our goal was to examine whether the GPx-1 genotype is associated with diabetic neuropathy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We determined the GPx-1 genotype in 173 Japanese type 2 diabetic patients who received medical interviews, physical examinations, nerve conduction studies, quantitative vibratory perception (QVP), head-up tilt and heart rate variability tests by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment-length polymorphism. Diabetic sensorimotor distal symmetric polyneuropathy (DSPN) and diabetic autonomic neuropathy (DAN) were evaluated separately. DSPN and DAN were defined by two or more abnormalities of neuropathic leg symptoms, diminished Achilles tendon reflexes or impaired QVP in toes, and two autonomic dysfunctions, respectively. The association of the GPx-1 genotype with DSPN, DAN, MVD and other clinical manifestations was analyzed. RESULTS: The prevalence of DSPN, impaired QVP and painful leg cramps in patients having a genotype with Pro/Leu at the codon 198 (Pro/Leu type) was significantly higher than those with Pro/Pro type. As a result of multivariate analyses that contained the GPx-1 genotype as an independent variable, the Pro/Leu type was extracted as a significant risk factor of DSPN, QVP impairment and MVD. The statistical significance did not disappear, even after proteinuria, retinopathy and a history of MVD were introduced as independent variables. In contrast, the GPx-1 genotype was not associated with DAN. CONCLUSIONS: The Pro198Leu missense polymorphism of the GPx-1 gene might have a common genetic predisposition to DSPN and MVD. (J Diabetes Invest, doi: 10.1111/j.2040-1124.2011.00127.x, 2011).

Cardio-ankle vascular index measures arterial wall stiffness independent of blood pressure.

Although brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) is a non-invasive method of detecting arteriosclerosis, it is affected by changes in blood pressure (BP). Cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) is a new method for estimating arteriosclerosis, and it has been reported to be less influenced by BP. We investigated the influence of BP changes on CAVI and the correlation of CAVI to clinical factors and carotid arteriosclerosis. CAVI and baPWV in 35 non-diabetic and 33 diabetic subjects were measured in increased BP (after stair climbing) and rested BP (after 10min of rest). Intima-media thickness (IMT) of carotid arteries was measured by ultrasoundsonography. We achieved the following results: CAVI did not show a significant change with a change in BP in both non-diabetic and diabetic subjects. On the contrary, baPWV was significantly influenced by BP changes. Carotid artery IMT had a significant positive correlation with CAVI and baPWV. Multiple regression analysis revealed that significant risk factors of high baPWV were age and systolic BP. On the contrary, significant risk factors of high CAVI were age and hemoglobin A1c, while systolic BP was not relevant. Our findings suggest that CAVI is independent of BP and useful as an indicator of early arteriosclerosis in diabetic subjects.