Detection of Cutaneous Blood Flow Changes Associated with Diabetic Microangiopathies in Type 2 Diabetes Patients Using Incoherent Optical Fluctuation Flowmetry

The aim of the present study was to evaluate changes in cutaneous blood flow detected by incoherent optical fluctuation flowmetry (IOFF) in diabetic patients with diagnosed microangiopathies. The study includes 52 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (12 males, 40 females, median age 57 (51; 60) years). All patients were examined using the IOFF method using functional tests: occlusion test on the index finger, local heat test on the dorsum of the foot, and local heat test on the big toe. The patients were divided into 2 groups: 13 patients with both diabetic retinopathy and diabetic nephropathy (Group 2, severe microcirculatory disorders) and 39 patients with only 1 microangiopathic complication or without any (Group 1). Local thermal hyperaemia (LTH2_1) was higher in Group 1 than in Group 2 (p = 0.011). Post-occlusive reactive hyperaemia (PORH_2) was higher in Group 2 than in Group 1 (p = 0.009). No changes were detected on the big toe. When PORH_2 and LTH2_1 were used in combination, the area under the ROC curve (95% CI) was 0.733 (0.62 to 0.846). Thus, the IOFF method has the potential to accurately detect blood flow abnormalities associated with diabetic microangiopathies.