Prospects for the use of laser Doppler flowmetry to assess cutaneous blood microcirculation in diabetes mellitus

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The аrticle considers the scientific and clinical aspects of laser Doppler flowmetry (LDF) in the diagnosis of the state of the microcirculatory bed in diabetes mellitus. LDF is a non-invasive quantitative method of microcirculation assessment; its capabilities include the analysis of microcirculatory rhythms and functional testing with different types of provocation tests, which provides a study of the state of regulatory mechanisms of microcirculation. The difficulties with studying the microcirculation are caused by the very small size of microvessels. The prevention and treatment of various microcirculatory disorders is one of the most important problems in medical practice. The findings of some studies suggest that microcirculatory disorders are not only a pathogenetic link in the development of complications, but are also observed in patients with early disorders of carbohydrate metabolism and may precede the manifestation of diabetes mellitus. The use of LDF in scientific researches will make it possible to reveal changes in microcirculatory bed functioning that are characteristic of diabetes mellitus. The possibility of non-invasive quantitative assessment of the state of microcirculatory blood flow in real time and the relative ease of use explains the high popularity of LDF in scientific researches and makes this method promising for use in clinical practice. This method can be of important diagnostic value for the study of the state of different levels of regulation of the microcirculatory tract and dynamic monitoring of the effectiveness of the prescribed treatment. Combined use of LDF to identify the risk of developing diabetic foot syndrome will allow to personify the treatment of diabetes. Among the most promising points of application should be noted the study of microcirculation in the early diagnosis of diabetes and its complications, clarifying the risk of complications, monitoring the effectiveness of treatment. The development of optimal evaluation methods of microcirculation is a prospect for further research.