Vasomotor Tone in Diabetic Neuropathy

Peripheral vasoconstriction capacity was studied in 19 patients with diabetic neuropathy, with the use of a well-insulated constant-temperature room. Vasomotor tone was totally absent in only one patient. Six patients had orthostatic hypotension with normal vasomotor tone, and seven patients had diabetic osteopathy. We concluded that adrenergic sympathetic function is usually preserved in the lower extremities, even in severe diabetic neuropathy.