Sympathetic skin response in diabetic peripheral neuropathy

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Endocrinology
• Autonomic Neuroscience

Background:

• Diabetic peripheral neuropathy commonly involves autonomic dysfunction.
• Sudomotor dysfunction is a frequent complication affecting quality of life.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the sensitivity of the sympathetic skin response (SSR) test for detecting sudomotor dysfunction.
• To correlate SSR findings with other autonomic function tests, symptoms, and neuropathy severity in diabetic patients.

Main Methods:

• Seventy-two diabetic patients with sensorimotor peripheral neuropathy were assessed.
• Sympathetic skin response (SSR), nerve conduction velocities (NCV), Valsalva maneuver, and orthostatic blood pressure were evaluated.
• Autonomic symptoms and neuropathy severity were also recorded.

Main Results:

• Nerve conduction velocities (NCV) were abnormal in all patients.
• The sympathetic skin response (SSR) was absent in 83% of patients.
• Abnormalities in the Valsalva test, peripheral neuropathy severity, and SSR showed statistical correlation. All patients with orthostatic hypotension had absent SSR and abnormal Valsalva test.

Conclusions:

• The sympathetic skin response (SSR) test is a valuable tool for investigating dysautonomia in diabetic peripheral neuropathy.
• SSR effectively detects sudomotor dysfunction, correlating with neuropathy progression and other autonomic impairments.