Pancreas and kidney changes in type 2 diabetes patients: the role of diffusion-weighted imaging

The aim of this study was to compare renal and pancreatic apparent diffusion-coefficient (ADC) values of diabetic patients and control subjects and to examine their potential association with several diabetes-related clinical parameters.

A total of 80 sex- and age-matched patients were included in the study. Of them, 40 were patients with type 2 diabetes and 40 were nondiabetic participants. Abdominal diffusion-weighted MRIs of both groups were retrospectively reviewed. Diabetes-related clinical parameters were recorded.

The difference between the mean ADC values of the patient group and the control group was significant (p = 0.012). It was also found that the mean pancreatic ADC values of diabetic patients and the control group significantly differed (p = 0.02). Besides, there were positive correlations between the mean pancreatic ADC values and age, Hb1Ac level, treatment type, and disease duration (p < 0.05). While eGFR values positively correlated with the mean renal ADC values (p < 0.05), there were negative correlations between such values and age, serum creatinine level, and disease duration (p < 0.05).

Renal and pancreatic ADC values of diabetic patients could potentially play a role, as markers of renal and pancreatic functions, in clinical decisions in the follow-up of such patients.