| 1. |
- Björkman, Kristoffer, et al.
(författare)
-
Clinical course of patients with single large-scale mtDNA deletions and childhood onset anemia
- 2022
-
Ingår i: 14th European Paediatric Neurology Society Congress, Glasgow, UK (ISBN 978-3-00-072065-9).
-
Konferensbidrag (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Objective: To add to our knowledge of the clinical spectrum of patients with single large-scale mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) deletion and childhood onset anemia. Methods: Retrospective collection of clinical data from medical records for patients, both living and deceased, with a single large-scale mtDNA deletion from seven mitochondrial disease centers in five countries. Statistical analysis with descriptive methods and Kaplan-Meier survival analysis. Results: Seventeen patients matching the genetic criterium and with anemia onset before six years of age. Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency was only seen in five patients in this group. Multiple organs were involved in all patients, with the most common non-hematologic ones being skeletal muscle, central nervous system, endocrine, eyes, gastrointestinal system, kidneys, hearing, liver and heart. Psychomotor retardation was seen in ten patients, hearing impairment in nine patients, failure to thrive in eight patients. Eight later developed Kearns-Sayre syndrome. Eleven patients were deceased, with a median age at death of 7.5 years. Conclusions: The classically described phenotype of patients with large-scale mtDNA deletions and early onset anemia is Pearson marrow-pancreas syndrome, characterized by sideroblastic anemia and exocrine pancreas dysfunction. Only a minority of our patients fulfill the original criteria of Pearson syndrome though. Involvement of other organs than the pancreas is more common. The clinical course vary, but multi-system impact is the rule and life-expectancy is low. Early onset anemia in patients with large-scale mtDNA deletions is most frequently not associated with exocrine pancreas dysfunction. Better knowledge of the phenotype is helpful for diagnosis and more accurate prognosis.
|
|
| 2. |
- Åkerman, Linda, 1983-
(författare)
-
Aspects of the Pre-Diabetic Period in Type 1 Diabetes
- 2016
-
Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is an autoimmune disease characterized by insulin deficiency, due to immune-mediated destruction of beta cells. Current knowledge regarding the period preceding disease onset comes, to a large extent, from studying risk cohorts based on relatives of T1D-patients, as they have an increased disease risk. Among T1D patients in general, however, few have the disease in their immediate family. It is therefore important to study risk cohorts from the general population as well. An ongoing autoimmune reaction can often be seen in the blood long before disease onset, by detection of autoantibodies directed towards beta cell antigens. By autoantibody screening among participants in the ABIS (All Babies in the South-east of Sweden) cohort, we could identify a group of children from the general population with increased risk for T1D, positive for multiple autoantibodies. They were enrolled in a 2-year prospective follow-up aiming to characterize the prediabetic period and to identify factors indicative of progression/non-progression to T1D. We assessed glucose homeostasis and autoantibody titers over time, and searched for risk-biomarkers by analyzing the expression of immune-related genes (Th1-Th2-Th3) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from these children, in comparison to healthy children and newly diagnosed T1D patients. In the same groups we also compared serum micro RNA (miRNA) profiles, knowing that miRNA molecules have desirable biomarker properties. We found that two specific autoantibodies, IA2A and ZnT8A, were detected at higher concentrations in risk-individuals who progressed to overt T1D during or after the follow-up period, compared to those who still have not. We also observed disturbed glucose homeostasis long before onset in the progressors, but it was seen among those who remain symptom free as well. Further, we found support for the possible role of insulin resistance as an accelerator of the disease process. For gene expression and serum miRNA, few differences were observed between risk-individuals and healthy children overall. However, for PBMC gene expression and serum miRNA both, there were associations to beta cell function and glucose homeostasis, and for miRNA also to islet autoantibodies. Although specific profiles for prediction of disease onset or identification of risk-individuals could not be found, these results are interesting and deserve to be evaluated further. As part of another sub-study within ABIS, the effects of physical activity on glucose homeostasis were assessed in healthy schoolchildren. The level of physical activity, measured by pedometers, was related to insulin resistance and beta cell-stress, and decreased physical activity was associated with increased insulin resistance and load on the insulin-producing beta cells, already at school-age.
|
|
| 3. |
- Decker, Ralph, 1968, et al.
(författare)
-
Case report of a girl with secondary amenorrhea associated with aurantiasis cutis
- 2016
-
Ingår i: Hormone Research in Paediatrics. - : S. Karger AG. - 1663-2818 .- 1663-2826.
-
Konferensbidrag (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Introduction: --- Aurantiasis cutis is a condition of yellowish or golden skin discoloration that can result from eating excessive amounts of foods containing carotene leading to hypercarotenemia(1), described causing secondary amenorrhea(2). Objective & hypothesis: --- Hypercarotenemia can cause secondary amenorrhea without overconsumption of excessive quantities of carotene. Results: --- Laboratory tests showed a ß-Carotene level more than the 2-fold above the upper reference level. Hyperbilirubinemia could be excluded. Hypogonadotropic hypogonadism was not present. There was no evidence for adrenal dysfunction. Liver function tests were normal. Material/ Methods: --- A 16-year-old girl presented to our endocrine outpatient clinic with a 2-year history of varying yellow discoloration of her skin and secondary amenorrhea. The findings of the general physical examination were normal, but there was a marked yellow discoloration of the palms, soles, and nasolabial folds. A dietary history revealed a low carotene diet, but also a low carbohydrate diet. BMI was 19.9 kg/m² (-0.2 SDS) without signs of anorexia. Discussion: --- In this girl we observed hypercarotenemia associated with secondary nonhypothalamic amenorrhea in absence of excess external intake of carotenes. This suggests an intrinsic reason due to a polymorphism(3) in ß-carotene 15,15'-monooxygenase (BCO)(4), an enzyme breaking down carotenes to vitamin A(5). Phenotype-genotype association studies are needed to confirm this hypothesis. Conclusion: --- Secondary non-hypothalamic amenorrhea can be associated with hypercarotenemia. References: --- 1. Tanikawa K, Seta K, Machii A, Itoh S 1961 [Aurantiasis cutis due to overeating of dried laver (nori): a case report]. Jpn J Med Sci Biol 50:414-419 2. Kemmann E, Pasquale SA, Skaf R 1983 Amenorrhea associated with carotenemia. JAMA 249:926-929 3. Leung WC, Hessel S, Meplan C, Flint J, Oberhauser V, Tourniaire F, Hesketh JE, von Lintig J, Lietz G 2009 Two common single nucleotide polymorphisms in the gene encoding beta-carotene 15,15'-monoxygenase alter beta-carotene metabolism in female volunteers. FASEB j 23:1041-1053 4. Frumar AM, Meldrum DR, Judd HL 1979 Hypercarotenemia in hypothalamic amenorrhea. Fertil Steril 32:261-264 5. Lindqvist A, Andersson S 2002 Biochemical properties of purified recombinant human beta-carotene 15,15'-monooxygenase. J Biol Chem 277:23942-23948
|
|
| 4. |
- Pourhamidi, Kaveh, et al.
(författare)
-
Heat shock protein 27 concentrations are lower in patientswith type 1 diabetes mellitus than in healthy controls andcorrelates with large nerve fibre dysfunction
-
Annan publikation (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Objective Heat shock protein 27 (HSP27) may contribute to the survival of neurons. Our aims were to study whether HSP27 concentrations differ between individuals with and without type 1 diabetes, and evaluate the relationship between the progression of peripheral nerve dysfunction and HSP27 concentrations.Research Design and Methods Type 1 diabetes patients (n=27, 41% women; mean age 41±8 years) were recruited in 1992 with a follow-up in 2005; serum HSP27 concentrations were determined in baseline and follow-up samples and compared to non-diabetic controls (n=397, 34% women; mean age 43±14 years). The type 1 diabetes patients underwent nerve conduction studies and thermal and vibration perception threshold tests at baseline and at follow-up. Reference data was used to standardise results for age, height and sex by calculating the Z-scores. Delta changes in HSP27 (follow-up HSP27 – baseline HSP27) and small and large nerve fibre function were used for correlation analyses.Results Type 1 diabetes patients had lower HSP27 concentrations at baseline (mean HSP27547 pg/ml, 95% CI 421, 711) and at follow-up (mean HSP27 538 pg/ml, 95% CI 417,693) compared to healthy controls (mean HSP27 785 pg/ml, 95% CI 732, 842; p<0.05 for both comparisons). Deteriorating large nerve fibre function correlated with delta HSP27 concentrations in type 1 diabetes (r=0.50, p=0.01).Conclusions Patients with type 1 diabetes had lower HSP27 concentrations than non-diabetic controls and progression of large nerve fibre dysfunction correlated with decreasing HSP27 concentrations during the follow-up period. This could be indicative ofinsufficient neuroprotection in type 1 diabetes.
|
|
| 5. |
- Pourhamidi, Kaveh, 1985-
(författare)
-
Peripheral nerve function : metabolic features, clinical assessment, and heat shock protein 27
- 2013
-
Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Peripheral neuropathy is a common complication among patients with diabetes mellitus, but whether peripheral neuropathy is present in individuals with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) is debatable. In order to identify and diagnose peripheral neuropathy correctly, it is important to evaluate diagnostic tools that can be implemented in routine health care to assess both large and small nerve fibre function. There is currently limited knowledge about neuroprotective factors that could be useful for measuring peripheral nerve function in individuals at risk of developing neuropathy such as those with diabetes mellitus. Thus, studies are needed to investigate potential neuroprotective factors in relation to peripheral nerve function in humans.Objectives: The overall goal of this thesis was to study the metabolic features and clinical assessment of peripheral nerve function and the potential relationship between the neuroprotective factor heat shock protein 27 (HSP27) and peripheral nerve function.Methods: Thirty-nine participants with normal glucose tolerance (NGT) and 29 participants with IGT were recruited from the population-based Västerbotten Intervention Programme in 2003–2004. Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM, n = 51) were recruited from primary health care centres. NGT and IGT individuals underwent two separate oral glucose tolerance tests to verify their glucose status. The peripheral nerve function in the lower limb was assessed by nerve conduction studies, neuropathy disability scoring, quantitative sensory tests, and skin biopsies with subsequent quantification of intraepidermal nerve fibre density (IENFD). The concentrations of HSP27 in serum were determined in the NGT, IGT, and T2DM individuals. Patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) were recruited from the Diabetes Clinic, Skåne University Hospital in Malmö, Sweden (n = 27) in 1992 and were followed-up in 2005. Baseline and follow-up concentrations of HSP27 were determined in T1DM patients as well as in healthy non-diabetic controls (n = 397). The T1DM patients underwent nerve conduction studies and thermal and vibration perception threshold tests at baseline and at follow-up. Delta changes in HSP27 concentrations and small and large nerve fibre function were calculated.Results: There was no difference between IGT and NGT in sural nerve conduction, intraepidermal nerve fibre density, or thermal thresholds. The biothesiometer had a sensitivity of 82% and a specificity of 72% in identifying peripheral neuropathy with a cut-off value of ≥24.5 V at the medial malleolus. Adding the quantification of IENFD to the combination of the tuning fork and biothesiometer increased the diagnostic sensitivity from 81% to 95%, the negative predictive value from 87% to 94%, and the positive likelihood ratio from 1.8 to 1.9 when identifying small nerve fibre dysfunction. T2DM patients had lower HSP27 concentrations (mean HSP27 = 412 pg/mL, 95% CI 284–598 pg/mL) than NGT (mean HSP27 = 722 pg/mL, 95% CI 564–922 pg/mL) and IGT (mean HSP27 = 1010 pg/mL, 95% CI 638–1300 pg/mL) individuals (p <0.05 for both comparisons). T1DM patients had lower HSP27 concentrations at baseline (mean HSP27 = 547 pg/mL, 95% CI 421–711 pg/mL) and at follow-up (mean HSP27 = 538 pg/mL, 95% CI 417–693 pg/mL) compared to healthy controls (mean HSP27 = 785 pg/mL, 95% CI 732–842 pg/mL), p <0.05 for both comparisons). High concentrations of HSP27 were associated with better large nerve fibre function (Odds ratio = 2.51, 95% CI 1.25–5.05, p <0.05). Deteriorating large nerve fibre function correlated with decreasing HSP27 concentrations over time in T1DM patients (r = 0.50, p = 0.01).Conclusions: Measures of large and small nerve fibre function in IGT individuals do not differ significantly from NGT individuals. The existence of peripheral neuropathy as a consequence of IGT is not likely, and extensive control of neuropathy in IGT individuals is not advocated by this thesis. The biothesiometer is a useful clinical tool to identify peripheral neuropathy in routine health care. Quantification of IENFD using skin biopsies in combination with methods measuring vibrotactile sense, such as the biothesiometer and the tuning fork, increase the diagnostic usefulness of identifying small nerve fibre dysfunction. High HSP27 concentrations are associated with better peripheral large nerve fibre function. Patients with diabetes mellitus have lower HSP27 concentrations than healthy non-diabetic controls, and deterioration of large nerve fibre function correlates with a decrease in HSP27 concentrations over time in T1DM. This could be indicative of insufficient neuroprotection in patients with diabetes mellitus.
|
|
| 6. |
- E:son Jennersjö, Pär, 1956-
(författare)
-
Risk factors in type 2 diabetes with emphasis on blood pressure, physical activity and serum vitamin D
- 2016
-
Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- BackgroundType 2 diabetes is a common chronic disease with a two-fold increased risk for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality and has an increasing prevalence worldwide. This thesis is based on a study conducted in primary health care in Östergötland and Jönköping, Sweden. The aim of the thesis was to evaluate new risk markers to identify patients with high risk of developing cardiovascular disease in middle-aged men and women with type 2 diabetes.MethodsData from the cohort study CArdiovascular Risk in type 2 DIabetes – a Prospective study in Primary care (CARDIPP) was used. In paper III data were also used from CARDIPP-Revisited where all participants in the CARDIPP study were invited four years after the baseline investigation for a re-investigation. In paper IV data were used from CAREFUL which is a control group of 185 subjects without diabetes. The investigation included a standard medical history including data on diabetes duration and on-going medication. Anthropometric data were recorded and both office and ambulatory blood pressure were measured. The patients filled out a detailed questionnaire and physical activity was measured by using waist-mounted pedometers. Pedometer-determined physical activity was classified in four groups: Group 1: <5000 steps/day (‘sedentary’); Group 2: 5000-7499 steps/day (‘low active’); Group 3: 7500-9999 steps/day (‘somewhat active’); Group 4: and ≥10 000 steps/day (‘active’). Blood samples were drawn for routine analyses and also frozen for later analyses. The investigations at the departments of physiology included echocardiography, measurements of the carotid intima-media thickness, applanation tonometry and measurements of sagittal abdominal diameter.ResultsPaper 1:Patients with a non-dipping systolic blood pressure pattern showed higher left ventricular mass index and pulse wave velocity (PWV) compared with patients with ≥10% decline in nocturnal systolic blood pressure. Patients with <10% decline in nocturnal systolic blood pressure had higher BMI and sagittal abdominal diameter, lower GFR and higher albumin:creatinine ratio and also higher levels of NT-proBNP than patients with a dipping pattern of the nocturnal blood pressure.Paper 2:The number of steps/day were inversely significantly associated with BMI, waist circumference and sagittal abdominal diameter, levels of CRP, levels of interleukin-6 and PWV.Paper 3:At the 4-year follow-up the change in PWV (ΔPWV) from baseline was calculated. The group with the lowest steps/day had a significantly higher increase in ΔPWV compared with the group with the highest steps/day. The associations between baseline steps/day and ΔPWV remained after further adjustment in a multivariate linear regression statistically significant (p=0.005). 23% of the variation in the study could be explained by our model. Every 1000 extra steps at baseline reduced the change in ΔPWV by 0.103 m/s between baseline and follow-up.Paper 4:Low vitamin D levels were associated with significantly increased risk for premature mortality in men with type 2 diabetes. High levels of parathyroid hormone were associated with significantly increased risk for premature mortality in women with type 2 diabetes. These relationships were still statistically significant also when two other well-established risk markers for mortality, PWV and carotid intima-media thickness, were added to the analyses.ConclusionsAmbulatory blood pressure recording can by addressing the issue of diurnal blood pressure variation, explore early cardiovascular organ damage and microvascular complications that goes beyond effects of standardised office blood pressure measurements. Pedometer-determined physical activity may serve as a surrogate marker for inflammation and subclinical organ damage in patients with type 2 diabetes. There is novel support for the durable vascular protective role of a high level of daily physical activity, which is independent of BMI and systolic blood pressure. The use of pedometers is feasible in clinical practice and provides objective information not only about physical activity but also the future risk for subclinical organ damage in middle-aged people with type 2 diabetes. Our results indicate that low vitamin D levels in men or high parathyroid hormone levels in women give independent prognostic information of an increased risk for total mortality.
|
|
| 7. |
- Söderquist, Fanny
(författare)
-
Melatonin in the gastrointestinal tract
- 2019
-
Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Melatonin is recognised as the pineal hormone regulating sleep and circadian rhythm. It has also been identified in peripheral tissues (mainly in animals) and thought to display a variety of actions, including anti-inflammatory properties, regulation of gastrointestinal (GI) functions, glucose homeostasis and beneficial effects in different tumour types. Patients with irritable bowel disorder commonly exhibit psychiatric co-morbidity and disturbances of the gut-brain axis have been proposed to play a role in these disorders. The focus of this thesis was to study melatonin and melatonin receptors in the normal human GI tract, the pancreas and small intestinal neuroendocrine tumours. The thesis also explores the complex relationship between GI symptoms and underlying psychiatric traits in the context of elevated levels of peripheral melatonin during waking hours.In paper I-II, tissue samples from the normal human GI tract and pancreas and tumour tissue from small intestinal neuroendocrine tumours were analysed for expression of melatonin and melatonin receptors using immunohistochemistry. For tumour patients, melatonin was also analysed in plasma and set in relation to symptoms and outcome. In paper III-IV, a cohort of young adults (18-25 years) seeking psychiatric care was examined for GI symptoms, melatonin levels in saliva, depressive symptoms and anxiety traits. Psychiatric assessments were performed using structured or semi structured interviews. Depressive symptoms were measured using the self-rating version of the Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale; GI symptoms were measured using the Gastrointestinal Symptoms Rating Scale for Irritable Bowel Syndrome; and personality traits were evaluated using the Swedish Universities Scales of Personality.Melatonin and melatonin receptors were widely expressed in the normal human gut and pancreas (paper I) but even in small intestinal neuroendocrine tumours known to produce serotonin (paper II). The intensity of the melatonin immunoreactivity in tumour tissue was found to correlate with lower proliferation index. After treatment, plasma levels of melatonin were reduced in tumour patients. Young adult patients seeking psychiatric care reported more GI symptoms than healthy controls, regardless of the currently active psychotropic medication. The level of GI symptoms was associated with severity of depressive symptoms and trait anxiety (paper III). Higher postprandial levels of melatonin were associated with the GI symptoms of bloating and pain (paper IV).In summary, these findings demonstrate the widespread presence of melatonin in the human gut and confirm a link between melatonin, psychiatric health and GI symptoms.
|
|
| 8. |
- Decker, Ralph, 1968, et al.
(författare)
-
Laboratory tests - Endocrinology : ENDOKRINOLOGISCHE LABORFUNKTIONSTESTS
- 2018
-
Bok (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Die Durchführung von Funktionstests in der pädiatrischen und in der Erwachsenen-Endokrinologie erfordert eine ganz besondere Präzision und zum Teil langjährige Erfahrung in der Indikationsstellung, Durchführung und Bewertung. Diese Fibel soll einen pragmatischen Zugang zur endokrinologischen Diagnostik ermöglichen. Die Autoren verfügen über eine mehr als 20-jährige eigene Expertise und führen alle beschriebenen Funktionstests selbst wie hier beschrieben durch. Die Funktionstests sind im Laufe der Jahre auch immer wieder angepasst worden, die Testabläufe und auch die Bewertungen haben sich etwas verändert, zum Teil fehlen für ältere Testbeschreibungen essenzielle Medikamente (z. B. Pentagastrin), andere Substanzen sind aktuell wieder verfügbar (z. B. Metyrapon [Metopiron® HRA Pharma]). Weiterhin konnten Fehler in früheren Publikationen berichtigt werden. Besonderes Augenmerk wurde auf die Praktikabilität gelegt: Indikationstellender Arzt, der Patient, die Arzthelferin oder Krankenschwester und das endokrinologische Spezial-Labor bilden ein gemeinsames Team als Garant für ein verwertbares Ergebnis. Alle endokrinologischen Funktionstests werden in einem einheitlichen Schema dargestellt. Alle Hormonwerte werden in konventionellen und in SI-Einheiten angegeben. Aktuelle Literaturangaben ergänzen die vorliegende Übersicht. Diese Auflage enthält bewusst nicht alle theoretisch möglichen endokrinologischen Funktionstests, wir haben uns auf die wichtigsten Indikationen und auf die Durchführbarkeit in einer ambulanten Praxis beschränkt, heute obsolete Funktionstests (z. B. Fludrocortisontest) werden nicht aufgeführt.
|
|
| 9. |
- Grönberg, Annika, 1970-
(författare)
-
Predictors of long-term glycemic control, pancreatic function and BMI trajectory in children with type 1 diabetes
- 2023
-
Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Background: The maintenance of normal metabolic control underpins all management of insulin dependent diabetes whether in terms of preserved beta-cell function, body composition, or family support. The hypothesis of this work was that preserved C-peptide predicts better glycemic control and lowers risk of severe hypoglycemia. It was additionally investigated whether Body Mass Index (BMI) and family structure contributes to the prediction of long-term glycemic control. Objectives: This thesis aimed to 1) identify the factors associated with residual C peptide production at least 10 years after diagnosis, 2) evaluate the association of BMI trajectory and long-term glycemic control, 3) identify early characteristics associated with rapid or slow decline of beta-cell function and how it affects the clinical course, and 4) investigate the relations of family structure at diagnosis and long-term glycemic control. Methods: Data from four cohorts were used: In the Uppsala cohort, measurement of long-term residual C-peptide was undertaken using ultrasensitive C-peptide ELISA in 73 children and adolescents <25 years, BMI trajectory prior diagnosis was evaluated in 295 children, while family structure at diagnosis was evaluated in 215 children in relation to glycemic control. In the Linköping cohort, stimulated C-peptide was assessed by mixed meal tolerance test in 50 children. Results: The cohort studies showed that better early glycemic control predicted long term residual C-peptide and that long term residual C-peptide, in turn, was protective against severe hypoglycemia. Additionally, BMI trajectory was predicted by BMI prior to the presentation of type 1 diabetes. There was no association with glycemic outcome. Children living in a whole family had a lower probability of long-term dysglycemia. Conclusions: Residual C-peptide is important for better glycemic control and to reduce complications in children with type 1 diabetes. Family structure, but not BMI trajectory, contributes to the prediction of long-term glycemic control. However, more research is needed to understand how to preserve the beta-cell function in children and to target and support families in those children with early deteriorating glycemic control to reduce future complications.
|
|
| 10. |
- Pourhamidi, Kaveh, 1985-, et al.
(författare)
-
Intraepidermal nerve fibre density is associated with weight
- 2011
-
Konferensbidrag (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Background and aims: Intraepidermal nerve fibre density (IENFD) quantification is regarded to be a sensitive and specific measure of small nerve fibre dysfunction and IENFD loss is an early feature in glucose dysregulation. Our aims were to study IENFD in individuals with normal glucose tolerance (NGT), impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and type 2 diabetes (T2D) and to study if IENFD was associated to metabolic traits, e.g. obesity and dyslipidemia, and to neurophysiologic assessments of nerve function.Materials and methods: Participants were consecutively recruited from the population-based Västerbotten Intervention Program; NGT (n=22), IGT (n=14), T2D (n=24), at the age of 60±1 years. The individuals’ height and weight were measured. Blood glucose and lipids were measured. Nerve conduction studies (NCS) were performed (sural and peroneal nerves) and the results were standardized to z-scores and compiled into a composite Z-score representing the nerve function in the leg. Neuropathy disability score (NDS) was used to evaluate neuropathic signs. In addition, thermal threshold tests (TTT) were performed to assess small nerve fibre function. Skin biopsies were performed using a 3-mm punch taken 10 cm proximal to the lateral malleolus. The intraepidermal nerve fibres were evaluated by routine immunohistochemistry and stained with anti-PGP9.5 (ubiquitin carboxyl-terminal hydrolase) antibodies. Light microscopy was used to identify nerve fibres in thin sections (5 µm) according to a standardized protocol. The IENFD was given as the mean of counts in 3 sections per millimeter of epidermal length. The assessors were blinded to the identity of the samples.Results: Patients with diabetes had lower IENFD (median 2.9 nerves mm-1, IQR 1.2-4.8) than controls (median 4.4 nerves mm-1, IQR 3.5-6.3; Mann-Whitney U test p=0.007). IGT individuals did not differ in IENFD (median 3.2 nerves mm-1, IQR 1.4-5.5) compared to controls (p=0.12) or diabetic patients (p=0.53). IENFD was positively correlated to NCS (r=0.39, p=0.002), but not to TTT and NDS. Individuals in the 3rd tertile of composite Z-score (i.e. better nerve conduction) had higher IENFD (median 4.1 nerves mm-1, IQR 2.7-5.8) than individuals in the 1st tertile (median 2.4 nerves mm-1, IQR 0.7-3.9; p=0.009). Triglycerides and cholesterols were not associated with IENFD. However, a stepwise multiple linear regression analysis revealed that weight was independently associated to IENFD, after adjustment for age, sex, height, and diabetic status (β=-0.419, p<0.001).Conclusion: We conclude that skin biopsies for IENFD quantification in thin sections is a simple useful method for assessing small nerve fibre neuropathy in individuals with diabetes. The association between weight and IENFD indicates that metabolic traits other than glucose dysmetabolism might play a role in the development small nerve fibre neuropathy.
|
|
