Changes of sweat gland function in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients with peripheral neuropathy.

Background: Millions of people suffer from diabetes mellitus. Most of them endure diabetes peripheral neuropathy (DPN) at the same time. Objectives: To examine the impairment of sweat gland function in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients with peripheral neuropathy (T2DM-DPN), and to explore the risk factors that may influence the impairment of autonomic function in T2DM-DPN patients by testing sweat gland function. Methods: Sweat gland function was tested with iodine and starch reagents on the sweat gland areas of the hands, feet and back of T2DM-DPN patients and healthy people. The ratio of the area in black spots to the whole tested area was calculated by ImageJ software. The participants' sweat gland function was also measured by SUDOSCAN conductance analyzer. The related hazard factors of the changes of sweat gland function was analyzed. Results: There was a significant difference in sweat gland function between the T2DM-DPN group and the healthy control group in hand area on the 1st and 2nd minute, in foot area on the 2nd minute (p < 0.05). The function of sweat glands in the hands, feet, and back of T2DM-DPN patients was weaker than that in healthy controls. Pearson correlation analysis showed that glucose (Glu) was correlated with sweat gland function significantly (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Sweat gland function was impaired in T2DM-DPN patients. The autonomic nerve may be injured in the T2DM-DPN patients at the same time. The injured degree of autonomic nerve in T2DM-DPN patients could be judged by sweat gland function test. Glucose may be one of the related hazard factors to the sweat gland function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]