The Value of Thermography in Diabetic Neuropathy

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the value of thermography in the diagnosis of autonomic neuropathy in diabetic patients. Neurological examination, orthostatic hypotension, nerve conduction examinations, RR interval variability, sympathetic skin responses and thermography were evaluated in 33 patients with noninsulin dependent diabetes mellitus. Sympathetic skin responses were regarded as abnormal only whenthey were absent. Normal values for RR interval variability and thermography were obtained in 52 healthy control subjects. Thirtythree patients were further subdivided intogroups with autonomic neuropathy (12 patients) , polyneuropathy (15 patients) and patients without neuropathy (6 patients). The sensitivity and spesifıcity of RR interval variability and thermography were calculated. The spesifıcity of the tests were found equal. The sensitivities did not reveal significant differences. Thermography was found to be the second sensitive test in the polyneuropathy group. In conclusion, thermography is a sensitive test to detect autonomic nervous system disfunction in diabetic patients. It is simple, inexpensive, reliable did not necessitate any spesifıc instrument to be performed.