Y. Fujiwara et al., Thermographic measurement of skin temperature recovery time of extremitiesin patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, EXP CL E D, 108(7), 2000, pp. 463-469
Citations number
29
Categorie Soggetti
Endocrinology, Nutrition & Metabolism
Journal title
EXPERIMENTAL AND CLINICAL ENDOCRINOLOGY & DIABETES
To elucidate the relationship between the recovery of skin temperature in a
n extremity after exposure to cold water and various factors associated wit
h diabetes, we measured skin temperature in type 2 diabetic patients (N=61)
and control subjects (N=16). A thermo-tracer was used in thermographic mea
surements. The right third toe of each subject was immersed in cold water a
t 0 degrees C for 10 sec. R-t represents the recovery rate of skin temperat
ure at t min after exposure. R-t was significantly reduced in the diabetic
patients every 5 min in the 20 min period following exposure compared with
control subjects. The diabetic patients group exhibited a significantly pos
itive correlation between R-20 and the ankle-brachial index. R-20 in the di
abetic patients showed a significantly positive correlation with the reduct
ion in systolic blood pressure at the arm observed in Schellong's test, in
addition, R-20 showed a significantly negative correlation with plasma leve
ls of fibrinogen and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1. However, the severi
ty of diabetic retinopathy and nephropathy was not significantly related to
R-20 in the diabetic patients. The present data indicate that the recovery
of skin temperature after immersion in cold water was markedly reduced in
patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus as compared with healthy control sub
jects. Peripheral arteriosclerosis, impaired sympathetic nerve function and
the activation of the blood coagulation system may all contribute to this
reduced recovery of skin temperature.