The increase in resistance index (%RI) of the digital artery from rest to a deep breath strongly correlated with autonomic function test scores (r = -0.846, P < 0.0001) in diabetic patients.
Observational (n=81)
Does the measurement of vasoconstrictor changes (%RI and %PI) in foot arteries using Doppler sonography correlate with autonomic neuropathy in diabetic patients?
The %RI of the digital artery measured by Doppler sonography is a useful and reliable test for detecting early-phase sympathetic dysfunction in diabetic patients.
Effect estimate: r = -0.846
p-value: p=<0.0001
OBJECTIVE: We studied the relationship between vasoconstrictor changes in foot arteries (pedal, metatarsal, and digital arteries) and autonomic neuropathy in diabetic patients to estimate the degrees of sympathetic dysfunction. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Sixty-two patients and nineteen age-matched control subjects were studied. The resistance index (RI) and pulsatility index (PI) were measured as vascular hemodynamic parameters using Doppler sonography, and the increases in these hemodynamic parameters (%RI and %PI) from rest to a deep breath were measured as indexes of the degrees of sympathetic vasoconstrictor function. Cardiovascular autonomic function tests (AFTs) were performed and the score was compared to %RI and %PI values obtained. RESULTS: Of the 62 diabetic patients, 51 had various degrees of autonomic neuropathy. Both %RI and %PI in the diabetic patients were significantly less than those in the control subjects for all foot arteries tested (all P < 0.001). There were strongly inverse correlations between the %RI and %PI of foot arteries and the AFT score (r = -0.556 to -0.846, P < 0.0001). The %RI of the digital artery was the most strongly correlated with AFT score (r = -0.846, P < 0.0001) among foot arteries tested. The abnormality of sympathetic vasoconstriction was detectable in the majority of the diabetic patients with the early phase of autonomic neuropathy (%RI: 89.5%; %PI: 94.5%). CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that the %RI of the digital artery is a useful and reliable sympathetic function test of early phase in diabetic patients.
Takahashi et al. (Tue,) conducted a observational in Diabetes mellitus with autonomic neuropathy (n=81). Measurement of resistance index (RI) and pulsatility index (PI) increases (%RI and %PI) from rest to a deep breath vs. Age-matched control subjects was evaluated on Correlation between %RI and %PI of foot arteries and cardiovascular autonomic function test (AFT) score (r = -0.846, p=<0.0001). The increase in resistance index (%RI) of the digital artery from rest to a deep breath strongly correlated with autonomic function test scores (r = -0.846, P < 0.0001) in diabetic patients.