Sudoscan is an effective screening method for asymptomatic diabetic neuropathy in Chinese type 2 diabetes mellitus patients

AIMS/INTRODUCTION The aim of the present study was to use the sudomotor function test, Sudoscan, as a screening method for the evaluation of asymptomatic diabetic distal symmetric polyneuropathy in Chinese type 2 diabetes patients. As a result, more attention could be paid to those asymptomatic patients who could be easily neglected and underdiagnosed in everyday clinic. MATERIALS AND METHODS A total of 394 Chinese type 2 diabetes patients were enrolled and tested for symptoms and clinical signs of neuropathy using the Neurological Symptom Score, Neuropathy Disability Score, and vibration perception threshold. Sudoscan was carried out, and the results were collected as the measurement of the electrochemical skin conductance of both hands and feet. RESULTS In the present study, we found that the abnormal rate of Sudoscan results in patients with asymptomatic neuropathy was higher than those without neuropathy and those with symptomatic neuropathy. This study also showed that lower electrochemical skin conductance at the feet was significantly associated with increasing symptoms, Neurological Symptom Score (r = -0.124, P < 0.05), Neuropathy Disability Score (r = -0.3, P < 0.01) and vibration perception threshold value (r = -0.18, P < 0.05). Logistic analysis showed that age (odds ratio 1.042, 95% confidence interval 1.014-1.071, P < 0.05) and feet electrochemical skin conductance levels (odds ratio 0.98, 95% confidence interval 0.962-0.993, P < 0.01) were independently associated with diabetic distal symmetric polyneuropathy. CONCLUSIONS Sudoscan might be a promising tool to screen asymptomatic diabetic distal symmetric polyneuropathy in Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.