Non-invasive assessment of skin microcirculatory changes in diabetic foot

ABSTRACT

The objective of this study was to evaluate the skin microcirculation in the lower limbs in type 2 diabetic patients for early detection of microvascular changes and prevention of its complications. This study was conducted on 30 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, 20 patients had clinical evidence of diabetic foot ulcers and 10 patients had no clinical evidence of foot ulcers. Ten age-matching healthy subjects were chosen as controls. Skin microcirculation was assessed by plethysmography [ankle-brachial and toe-brachial indices], laser Doppler flowmetry [LDF] and laser Doppler imaging [scanner]. It was concluded that noninvasive vascular tests, particularly toe-brachial index, measured by photoplethysmography and tissue perfusion measured by laser Doppler flowmetry are valuable in early detection of microcirculation impairment and prevention of serious complications, e.g. diabetic foot ulcers