The Relationship Between β-cell Function Indices and Sudomotor Function in Chinese Patients with Type 2 Diabetes

Purpose SUDOSCAN, a new non-invasive, quick, sensitive and quantitative technique, has been developed to detect diabetic peripheral neuropathy, and the latter is believed to be correlated with impaired beta-cell function. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the associations between beta-cell function indices and sudomotor function in Chinese type 2 diabetes. Methods A total of 266 Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes were enrolled. Sudomotor function was assessed using electrochemical skin conductance of hands and feet. Pancreatic beta-cell function was determined by homeostasis model assessment of beta-cell function index, early-phase beta-cell function indices and total beta-cell function indices. Pearson correlation analysis and multiple linear stepwise regression analysis were carried out to explore the associations between beta-cell function indices and sudomotor function. Results Patients with lower early-phase beta-cell function had lower electrochemical skin conductance levels of hands and feet and higher asymmetry ratio of hands and feet. Both Pearson correlation analysis and multiple linear stepwise regression analysis showed significantly positive relationships between early-phase beta-cell function and electrochemical skin conductance levels of hands and feet, after controlling for potential confounders (P<0.05). Conclusions Impaired early-phase beta-cell function was positively associated with sudomotor dysfunction in Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes. We speculated that impaired early-phase beta-cell function may be associated with the incidence of sudomotor dysfunction in patients with T2DM.