Changes in Skin Innervation of Neurologically Asymptomatic Type 2 Diabetic Patients: the Correlation With the Diabetic Parameters and Neurotrophins.

To address the following issues: (1) the course of small nerve fiber degeneration in type 2 diabetic patients, especially in asymptomatic patients; (2) the influence of blood sugar control on development of the small fiber degeneration; (3) the correlation of skin innervation with sensory thresholds, autonomic tests and parameters of nerve conduction studies; and (4) the role of neurotrophins in diabetic neuropathy, we will perform skin biopsy with quantification of IENF in type 2 diabetic patient without neurological symptoms. The investigations all include clinical evaluation, electrophysiological studies, quantitative sensory test and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay of neurotrophins. The analysis of skin innervation with diabetic parameters will give important insights into the mechanism, prevention and management of small fiber neuropathy in neurologically asymptomatic type 2 diabetic patients, and also therapeutic strategies for diabetic neuropathy.