Autonomic Neuropathy Research Articles

Analysis of type 2 diabetes heterogeneity with a tree-like representation: insights from the prospective German Diabetes Study and the LURIC cohort

Heterogeneity in type 2 diabetes can be represented by a tree-like graph structure by use of reversed graph-embedded dimensionality reduction. We aimed to examine whether this approach can be used to stratify key pathophysiological components and diabetes-related complications during longitudinal follow-up of individuals with recent-onset type 2 diabetes. For this cohort analysis, 927 participants aged 18-69 years from the German Diabetes Study (GDS) with recent-onset type 2 diabetes were mapped onto a previously developed two-dimensional tree based on nine simple clinical and laboratory variables, residualised for age and sex. Insulin sensitivity was assessed by a hyperinsulinaemic-euglycaemic clamp, insulin secretion was assessed by intravenous glucose tolerance test, hepatic lipid content was assessed by 1 H magnetic resonance spectroscopy, serum interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-18 were assessed by ELISA, and peripheral and autonomic neuropathy were assessed by functional and clinical measures. Participants were followed up for up to 16 years. We also investigated heart failure and all-cause mortality in 794 individuals with type 2 diabetes undergoing invasive coronary diagnostics from the Ludwigshafen Risk and Cardiovascular Health (LURIC) cohort. There were gradients of clamp-measured insulin sensitivity (both dimensions: p<0·0001) and insulin secretion (pdim1<0·0001, pdim2=0·00097) across the tree. Individuals in the region with the lowest insulin sensitivity had the highest hepatic lipid content (n=205, pdim1<0·0001, pdim2=0·037), pro-inflammatory biomarkers (IL-6: n=348, pdim1<0·0001, pdim2=0·013; IL-18: n=350, pdim1<0·0001, pdim2=0·38), and elevated cardiovascular risk (nevents=143, pdim1=0·14, pdim2<0·00081), whereas individuals positioned in the branch with the lowest insulin secretion were more prone to require insulin therapy (nevents=85, pdim1=0·032, pdim2=0·12) and had the highest risk of diabetic sensorimotor polyneuropathy (nevents=184, pdim1=0·012, pdim2=0·044) and cardiac autonomic neuropathy (nevents=118, pdim1=0·0094, pdim2=0·06). In the LURIC cohort, all-cause mortality was highest in the tree branch showing insulin resistance (nevents=488, pdim1=0·12, pdim2=0·0032). Significant gradients differentiated individuals having heart failure with preserved ejection fraction from those who had heart failure with reduced ejection fraction. These data define the pathophysiological underpinnings of the tree structure, which has the potential to stratify diabetes-related complications on the basis of routinely available variables and thereby expand the toolbox of precision diabetes diagnosis. German Diabetes Center, German Federal Ministry of Health, Ministry of Culture and Science of the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, German Federal Ministry of Education and Research, German Diabetes Association, German Center for Diabetes Research, European Community, German Research Foundation, and Schmutzler Stiftung.

Evaluation of Microvascular Complications in Kidney Recipients With Posttransplant Diabetes Mellitus.

The paucity of data on microvascular complications in patients with posttransplant diabetes (PTDM) is an obstacle to developing follow-up algorithms. To evaluate diabetic microvascular complications in patients with long-standing PTDM. In patients with ≥5-year history of PTDM and age-matched renal transplant recipients without PTDM (NDM), diabetic peripheral neuropathy was evaluated using the Michigan Neuropathy Screening Instrument, the CASE IV device, and in vivo corneal confocal microscopy (CCM). Cardiac autonomic neuropathy tests were performed using heart rate variability. Nephropathy screening was assessed using spot urine albumin/creatinine ratio and eGFR calculation. Diabetic retinopathy was evaluated by fundus examination and photography, and optical coherence tomography. This study included 41 patients with PTDM and 45 NDM patients. The median follow-up was 107.5 months in the PTDM group. Peripheral neuropathy was significantly higher in the PTDM group than in the NDM group (P = .02). In the PTDM patients with peripheral neuropathy, corneal nerve fiber density examined by CCM was significantly lower than in PTDM patients without neuropathy (P = .001). Parasympathetic involvement was observed in 58.5% of the PTDM group and 22% of the NDM group (P = .001). Sympathetic involvement was present in 65.9% of the PTDM group and 29.3% of the NDM group (P = .001). Retinopathy was observed in 19.5% of patients in the PTDM group and in none of the NDM patients (P < .001). Renal functions were similar between the study groups. Cardiac autonomic neuropathy and diabetic retinopathy can affect patients with PTDM at a high rate. Diabetic retinopathy is a threat to the vision of PTDM patients. Diabetic peripheral neuropathy can be detected early in PTDM patients by CCM.

Chronic kidney disease in patients with long-term type 1 diabetes mellitus

BACKGROUND: Patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1D) have an earlier age of onset and a longer course of the disease, already by middle age they have the development of microand macrovascular diabetic complications that reduce the quality and duration of life.AIM: To evaluate the prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and other late complications of T1D depending on renal dysfunction in the population of patients with T1D with disease duration of 20 and more years, who underwent examination and treatment in Endocrinology Research Centre.MATERIALS AND METHODS: A one-stage single-center epidemiological non-randomised study was conducted using the database of Endocrinology Research Centre with the study of 500 patients’medical histories with long-term T1D (20 years and mores), without kidney damage and with CKD at different stages (CKD C1–C5, C5D, after transplantation), examined and treated from 2011 to 2023.RESULTS: Normal renal function was observed in 10.8% of patients (n=54). Terminal stage of CKD was reached in 28.0% (n=140), of which 12.4% were on renal replacement therapy with program hemodialysis (RRT-HD), and 12.0% after isolated kidney transplantation or combined kidney and pancreas transplantation, the rest were at different stages of CKD. Normoalbuminuria was observed in 15.4% (n=77) among 500 patients. The prevalence of late complications of DM among the examined patients was high and increasing with the progression of renal dysfunction: diabetic retinopathy was diagnosed in 96% of patients, distal symmetrical polyneuropathy — in 97% of patients, various forms of autonomic neuropathy — in more than half of patients. About 60% of patients had diagnosed arterial atherosclerosis in the legs, about one third — atherosclerosis of brachiocephalic arteries, 23% — confirmed coronary heart disease, and suffered cardiovascular events (myocardial infarction, acute cerebral circulation disorder) — 19% of patients, about half of whom had CKD of different severity. Factors for increased risk of cardiovascular disease: estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR)&lt;60 mL/min/1.73m2, OR=7.1; 95% CI 3.6–8.4; p&lt;0.001), eGFR &lt;30 mL/min/1.73m2 OR=8.7; 95% CI 2.8–8.4; p&lt;0.001), eGFR &lt;15 mL/min/1.73m2 OR=14; 95% CI 6.3–31.3; p&lt;0.001); albuminuria &gt; 30 mg/g OR=2.4; 95% CI 1.6–3.6; p&lt;0.001), dialysis OR=14.1; 95% CI 6.2–32.1; p&lt;0.001), kidney transplant OR=11.7; 95% CI 5.4–24.9; p&lt;0.001). Manifestation of T1D between 1996–2002 reduced the risk of developing CKD by 10.75; 95% CI 4.37; 27.03) vs manifestation of T1D earlier. Age of T1D debut 6–17 years increased the risk of reaching terminal CKD vs age of debut &gt;18 years: OR=2.4; 95% CI 1.22; 5.022; p=0.012).CONCLUSION: Despite a significant reduction in the risk of developing CKD in individuals with T1D debut between 1996 and 2002, renal dysfunction is a frequent complication in patients with a long disease course, combining with other late complications and contributing to a high risk of terminal stage of CKD and cardiovascular events. Early age of T1D debut increases the risk of terminal CKD.

Rectal sensitivity correlated with gastrointestinal-mediated glucose disposal, but not the incretin effect.

The mechanisms behind the diminished incretin effect in type 2 diabetes are uncertain, but impaired vagal transmission has been suggested. We aimed to investigate the association between the incretin effect and autonomic neuropathy, and the degree of dysglycaemia and duration of diabetes. For a cross-sectional study, we included participants with either longstanding type 2 diabetes, recent onset, untreated diabetes and controls without diabetes matched for age, sex and body mass index. Autonomic nerve function was assessed with cardiovascular reflex tests, heart rate variability and sudomotor function. Visceral afferent nerves in the gut were tested performing rapid rectal balloon distention. An oral glucose tolerance test and an intravenous isoglycaemic glucose infusion were performed to calculate the incretin effect and gastrointestinal-mediated glucose disposal (GIGD). Sixty-five participants were recruited. Participants with diabetes had rectal hyposensitivity for earliest sensation (3.7 ± 1.1 kPa in longstanding, 4.0 ± 1.3 in early), compared to controls (3.0 ± 0.9 kPa), p = .005. Rectal hyposensitivity for earliest sensation was not associated with the incretin effect (rho = -0.204, p = .106), but an association was found with GIGD (rho -0.341, p = .005). Incretin effect and GIGD were correlated with all glucose values, HbA1c and duration of diabetes. Rectal hyposensitivity was uncovered in both longstanding and early type 2 diabetes, and was not associated with the incretin effect, but with GIGD, implying a potential link between visceral neuropathy and gastrointestinal handling of glucose. Both the incretin effect and GIGD were associated with the degree of dysglycaemia and the duration of diabetes. Some of the data have previously been published and presented as a poster on the American Diabetes Association 83rd Scientific Sessions: Meling etal; 1658-P: Rectal Hyposensitivity, a Potential Marker of Enteric Autonomic Nerve Dysfunction, Is Significantly Associated with Gastrointestinally Mediated Glucose Disposal in Persons with Type 2 Diabetes. Diabetes 20 June 2023; 72 (Supplement_1): 1658-P. https://doi.org/10.2337/db23-1658-P.

Validation of Tele-HRV: A Novel Digital Health Solution for Cardiovascular Risk Detection in Diabetes

BackgroundHeart rate variability (HRV) in a sensitive test of Cardiac autonomic neuropathy (CAN) and predicts high mortality in diabetes subjects. Our innovative TeleHRV solution conforms to the HRV Task Force Standards and consists of mApp controlled battery powered handy device that uploads data to the cloud and delivers eReport. It eliminates all cost and technical constraints and makes HRV available for mass application. Aim of this study was to compare the computation accuracy of standard HRV indices using TeleHRV analysis software and its open-source equivalent software Kubios HRV which is considered the gold standard. MethodsData for this project was downloaded from Physionet.org. Standard Time domain indices (mean RR, SDNN, RMSSD, NN50) and Frequency Domain Indices (LF, HF and LF/HF) were calculated with TeleHRV analysis software and Kubios HRV software and Correlation Coefficient (CC) as well as Intra-Class Correlation Coefficient (ICCC) were computed for the indices obtained from the two software. ResultsThe Maximum of ICCC =1 (which is perfect agreement) was obtained for mean RR interval while the Minimum CC= 0.9976 was obtained for LF/HF which is extremely well correlated for a minimum observation; CC and ICCC for other indices were in between for the two software. ConclusionThe statistics strongly suggests that TeleHRV's analysis software faithfully matches the HRV indices values calculated by the gold standard Kubios HRV and support the validity of TeleHRV, which provides a cost effective, handy and user-friendly technology in a resource constrained and remote locations for early detection of CAN in diabetes.

Mfsd7b facilitates choline transport and missense mutations affect choline transport function.

MFSD7b belongs to the Major Facilitator Superfamily of transporters that transport small molecules. Two isoforms of MFSD7b have been identified and they are reported to be heme exporters that play a crucial role in maintaining the cytosolic and mitochondrial heme levels, respectively. Mutations of MFSD7b (also known as FLVCR1) have been linked to retinitis pigmentosa, posterior column ataxia, and hereditary sensory and autonomic neuropathy. Although MFSD7b functions have been linked to heme detoxification by exporting excess heme from erythroid cells, it is ubiquitously expressed with a high level in the kidney, gastrointestinal tract, lungs, liver, and brain. Here, we showed that MFSD7b functions as a facilitative choline transporter. Expression of MFSD7b slightly but significantly increased choline import, while its knockdown reduced choline influx in mammalian cells. The influx of choline transported by MFSD7b is dependent on the expression of choline metabolizing enzymes such as choline kinase (CHKA) and intracellular choline levels, but it is independent ofgradient of cations. Additionally, we showed that choline transport function of Mfsd7b is conserved from fly to man. Employing our transport assays, we showed that missense mutations of MFSD7b caused reduced choline transport functions. Our results show that MFSD7b functions as a facilitative choline transporter in mammalian cells.

Autonomic diabetic neuropathies: A brief overview

This article summarizes the latest epidemiology of diabetic autonomic neuropathy (DAN), and provides a brief overview on epidemiology, current outcomes measures for screening and diagnosis in research and clinical settings, the latest evidence on effective management, and novel perspectives on the impacts of social determinants of health in development and management of DAN. Among the various forms of diabetic neuropathy, distal symmetric polyneuropathy and diabetic autonomic neuropathies, particularly cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy, are by far the most studied. However, emerging data highlight the impact of other forms of autonomic neuropathies such as gastrointestinal and urogenital autonomic neuropathies, on healthcare and patients’ reported outcomes [1].

A brief overview of the diabetic neuropathies

The diabetic neuropathies represent the commonest long-term complications of diabetes, and may be the presenting feature of Type 2 diabetes. In clinical practice, distal symmetrical polyneuropathy (DSPN) and the autonomic neuropathies are the most frequently seen forms of diabetic neuropathy. The 2017 American Diabetes Association classification system for the neuropathies of diabetes are in general use. Treatment challenges remain and the need for revised recommendations and further discussion of management of severely painful DSPN that does not fully respond to conventional medical management is clear, especially in light of the recent opioid crisis in the USA.

Assessment of the relationship of systemic vascular dysfunction and cardiac autonomic neuropathy (CAN) with diabetic retinopathy.

Diabetic retinopathy, a form of microvasculopathy, is the leading cause of the visual abnormality. However, there is no conclusive evidence of the relationship of systemic vascular dysfunction with retinal microvasculopathy. In addition, diabetes-associated cardiac autonomic neuropathy may also compromise vascular function. The present study intends to correlate arterial stiffness, endothelial function, and heart rate variability (HRV) as a standardized measure of cardiac autonomic neuropathy with diabetic retinopathy. The present cross-sectional, observational study was conducted in the Department of Physiology. Twenty subjects were recruited in group 1 (T2DM, type 2 diabetes mellitus patients, without retinopathy) and group 2 (T2DM with retinopathy). The vascular parameters such as heart rate, peripheral and central blood pressure, augmentation index [AIx (%)], brachial -ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV), and reactive hyperaemia index (RHI) were recorded. Independent sample t-test (for parametric data) and Mann-Whitney U test (for non-parametric data) were employed to compare the variables of two groups. Spearman correlation was used to examine the relationship among the parameters. Linear regression analysis was performed to examine the important vascular predictor for diabetic retinopathy. baPWV was significantly higher in group 2 than in group 1 and positively associated with group 2. RHI was significantly less in group 2 than group 1 and negatively associated with group 2. Among HRV metrics, standard deviation of successive differences (SDSD), root mean square of successive differences between normal heartbeats (RMSSD), and high frequency (HF) power were significantly decreased in group 2 than in group 1. SDSD, RMSSD, and HF power were negatively associated with group 2. RHI emerged as a significant predictor of diabetic retinopathy following linear regression. Overall, the result of the present study indicates that metabolic dysregulation of glucose may affect the normal functioning of the autonomic nervous system and vascular function. Therefore, screening of vascular function and cardiac autonomic tone may be advocated in diabetic patients in routine clinics to examine the existence of any comorbid condition, such as diabetic retinopathy, as systemic vascular changes may also affect ophthalmic vasculature.

Predictors of autonomic neuropathy in systemic sclerosis

Predictors of autonomic neuropathy in systemic sclerosis

Association of Long-Term HbA1c Variability with Anxiety and Depression in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes: A Cross-Sectional Retrospective Study.

To explore the relationship between long-term glycemic variability and anxiety and depression in patients with type 2 diabetes. A cohort comprising 214 individuals diagnosed with type 2 diabetes participated in this study. Comprehensive demographic and laboratory information was gathered for them. The evaluation of anxiety relied on the 7-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7), while depression was assessed utilizing the 9-item Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9). Based on the presence or absence of anxiety and depression, participants were categorized into either the mood disorder or control groups. Subsequently, univariate and stepwise multiple binary logistic regression analyses were conducted to investigate the potential correlations between factors and the presence of anxiety and depression. The prevalence of anxiety disorders is 23%, and depression is 32%. The prevalence of smoking, diabetic autonomic neuropathy, stroke, and osteoporosis in the mood disorder group was significantly higher than that in the control group (P < 0.05), the glycated hemoglobin A1c variability score (HVS), mean hemoglobin A1c value, total cholesterol, urinary albumin/creatinine and systemic immune-inflammatory index (SII) were significantly higher in the control group (P < 0.05). The level of high-density lipoprotein in the mood disorder group was significantly lower than the control group (P < 0.05). In stepwise multiple binary logistic regression analyses, the main factors associated with anxiety were depression (P < 0.001, OR=117.581) and gender (P < 0.001, OR=9.466), and the main factors related to depression included anxiety (P < 0.001, OR=49.424), smoking (P=0.042, OR=2.728), HVS (P=0.004, OR=8.664), and SII (P=0.014, OR=1.002). Persistent fluctuations in blood glucose levels have been linked to anxiety and depression. Consequently, maintaining an optimal level of glycemic control and minimizing fluctuations becomes imperative in the comprehensive management of diabetes.

Family Empowerment Method Modern Dressing Based to Increase Diabtes Mellitus Patients with Diabetic Ulcer

Diabetic ulcer is lower extremity illness in diabetic patients with sensory, motoric, autonomic neuropathy, and or limbs blood vessel disorder as the characteristics. Patients with diabetic ulcer often experience psychological stress as the result of the infection of the ulcer itself or the operation procedure, thus negatively affects patients’ self-concept, self-worth, quality of life, physiological and psychological health, hope to recover, and their spirituality. This research aimed to recognize the effect of family empowerment method modern dressing based in inflating diabetic ulcer patients’ quality of life. This research utilized pre-experimental with one group pretest-posttest design. The population and sample in this research are diabetic ulcer patients. The sampling technique used was purposive sampling with the total of 53 respondents. The instrument used was WHOQOL (The World Health Organization of Quality of Life). The research found that patient’s QoL before family empowerment was given, the moderate QoL (Quality of Life) was 41 respondents (77.4%) and the good QoL was 12 respondents (22.6%). After the treatment using the aforementioned method, the good QoL increased to 28 respondents (52.8%), the moderate QoL became 7 respondents (13.2%) and the very good QoL increased as much as 18 respondents (34%). Wilcoxon analysis test resulted ρ 0,000, meaning that there was an effect of family empowerment method modern dressing based to patients with diabetic ulcer

Exonic trinucleotide repeat expansions in ZFHX3 cause spinocerebellar ataxia type 4: A poly-glycine disease

Autosomal-dominant ataxia with sensory and autonomic neuropathy is a highly specific combined phenotype that we described in two Swedish kindreds in 2014; its genetic cause had remained unknown. Here, we report the discovery of exonic GGC trinucleotide repeat expansions, encoding poly-glycine, in zinc finger homeobox 3 (ZFHX3) in these families. The expansions were identified in whole-genome datasets within genomic segments that all affected family members shared. Non-expanded alleles carried one or more interruptions within the repeat. We also found ZFHX3 repeat expansions in three additional families, all from the region of Skåne in southern Sweden. Individuals with expanded repeats developed balance and gait disturbances at 15 to 60 years of age and had sensory neuropathy and slow saccades. Anticipation was observed in all families and correlated with different repeat lengths determined through long-read sequencing in two family members. The most severely affected individuals had marked autonomic dysfunction, with severe orthostatism as the most disabling clinical feature. Neuropathology revealed p62-positive intracytoplasmic and intranuclear inclusions in neurons of the central and enteric nervous system, as well as alpha-synuclein positivity. ZFHX3 is located within the 16q22 locus, to which spinocerebellar ataxia type 4 (SCA4) repeatedly had been mapped; the clinical phenotype in our families corresponded well with the unique phenotype described in SCA4, and the original SCA4 kindred originated from Sweden. ZFHX3 has known functions in neuronal development and differentiation n both the central and peripheral nervous system. Our findings demonstrate that SCA4 is caused by repeat expansions in ZFHX3.

Recurrent de novo SPTLC2 variant causes childhood-onset amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) by excess sphingolipid synthesis

BackgroundAmyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disease of the upper and lower motor neurons with varying ages of onset, progression and pathomechanisms. Monogenic childhood-onset ALS, although rare, forms an...

Time to completely eradicate diabetic nephropathy

Abstract Diabetes mellitus (DM) is the most important cause of end-stage renal disease, blindness, autonomic neuropathy, and heart failure. These complications endanger life expectancy, quality of life, and health costs in patients suffering from DM. These complications start to develop, especially in type 2 DM (T2DM), before the onset of this disease. Accumulating evidence proves that complications of diabetes are due to hyperglycemia that develops many years before the patients fulfill the diagnostic criteria of T2DM. Pathologic changes of diabetic kidney disease (DKD) in these patients have already developed by the time of onset of frank DM but are still clinically silent. These facts can explain the failure of the different sodium–glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2Is) to completely prevent renal events even in diabetic patients with apparently normal kidneys. Many studies have used different SGLT2Is in patients devoid of diabetes without the fear of hypoglycemia. Available evidence pushes toward the use of SGLT2Is as early as the onset of prediabetes. This approach would eradicate not only DKD but also other known complications. The use of these agents by the onset of T1DM might be also justifiable. The early use of SGLT2Is as early as the onset of prediabetes might abort the development of DKD completely. This review provides insights for prospective studies that would make this hope a reality.

Real-time heart rate variability according to ambulatory glucose profile in patients with diabetes mellitus.

Autonomic neuropathy commonly occurs as a long-term complication of diabetes mellitus (DM) and can be diagnosed based on heart rate variability (HRV), calculated from electrocardiogram (ECG) recordings. There are limited data on HRV using real-time ECG and ambulatory glucose monitoring in patients with DM. The aim of this study was to investigate real-time HRV according to ambulatory glucose levels in patients with DM. A total of 43 patients (66.3 ± 7.5 years) with DM underwent continuous real-time ECG monitoring (225.7 ± 107.3 h) for HRV and ambulatory glucose monitoring using a remote monitoring system. We compared the HRV according to the ambulatory glucose profile. Data were analyzed according to the target in glucose range (TIR). There were no significant differences in the baseline characteristics of the patients according to the TIR. During monitoring, we checked ECG and ambulatory glucose levels (a total of 15,090 times) simultaneously for all patients. Both time- and frequency-domain HRVs were lower when the patients had poorly controlled glucose levels (TIR < 70%) compared with well controlled glucose levels (TIR > 70%). In addition, heart and respiratory rates increased with real-time glucose levels (P < 0.001). Poorly controlled glucose levels were independently associated with lower HRV in patients with DM. This was further substantiated by the independent continuous association between real-time measurements of hyperglycemia and lower HRV. These data strongly suggest that cardiac autonomic dysfunction is caused by elevated blood sugar levels.

Dysautonomia and small fiber neuropathy in post-COVID condition and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

BackgroundMyalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) and post-COVID condition can present similarities such as fatigue, brain fog, autonomic and neuropathic symptoms.MethodsThe study included 87 patients with post-COVID condition, 50 patients with ME/CFS, and 50 healthy controls (HC). The hemodynamic autonomic function was evaluated using the deep breathing technique, Valsalva maneuver, and Tilt test. The presence of autonomic and sensory small fiber neuropathy (SFN) was assessed with the Sudoscan and with heat and cold evoked potentials, respectively. Finally, a complete neuropsychological evaluation was performed. The objective of this study was to analyze and compare the autonomic and neuropathic symptoms in post-COVID condition with ME/CFS, and HC, as well as, analyze the relationship of these symptoms with cognition and fatigue.ResultsStatistically significant differences were found between groups in heart rate using the Kruskal–Wallis test (H), with ME/CFS group presenting the highest (H = 18.3; p ≤ .001). The Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS), and pathological values in palms on the Sudoscan were found in 31% and 34% of ME/CFS, and 13.8% and 19.5% of post-COVID patients, respectively. Concerning evoked potentials, statistically significant differences were found in response latency to heat stimuli between groups (H = 23.6; p ≤ .01). Latency was highest in ME/CFS, and lowest in HC. Regarding cognition, lower parasympathetic activation was associated with worse cognitive performance.ConclusionsBoth syndromes were characterized by inappropriate tachycardia at rest, with a high percentage of patients with POTS. The prolonged latencies for heat stimuli suggested damage to unmyelinated fibers. The higher proportion of patients with pathological results for upper extremities on the Sudoscan suggested a non-length-dependent SFN.

Ceftriaxone-associated Biliary Pseudolithiasis with Elderly Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus: Two Case Reports.

Biliary pseudolithiasis is a ceftriaxone (CTRX)-induced complication, but the risk in cases of elderly type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is unclear. Case 1: A 78-year-old woman with T1DM complicated by diabetic autonomic neuropathy was admitted with pneumonia and treated with CTRX. On day 8, biliary pseudolithiasis and cholecystitis were observed. Case 2: an 80-year-old woman with T1DM was suspected of having a urinary tract infection and treated with CTRX. After a week, she developed asymptomatic biliary pseudolithiasis with gastroparesis. CTRX-associated biliary pseudolithiasis was thus noted in these cases of elderly T1DM. CTRX should be cautiously administered, especially in elderly T1DM patients with diabetic autonomic neuropathy.

Pre-operative screening of diabetic patients for heart rate variability and their hemodynamic responses during induction of general anaesthesia

: Cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy (CAN) is one of the least frequently diagnosed and the most clinically significant complications of Diabetes mellitus (DM). Impaired heart rate variability (HRV) is the earliest indicator of CAN. Peri-operative hemodynamic instability is a major concern during general anaesthesia (GA) in patients with autonomic dysfunction. Purpose of this study was to assess and compare the autonomic function using HRV in diabetic and non-diabetic patients pre-operatively and to study the haemodynamic responses of these patients during induction.: The primary objective was to assess and compare the autonomic function using HRV in diabetic and non-diabetic patients preoperatively. Secondary objective was to study hemodynamic responses of these patients during induction of GA.: We included 68 patients (34 diabetics- group D and 34 non-diabetics- group N) aged between 30 to 65 years, with American society of anaesthesiologists (ASA) physical status 1 and 2 undergoing elective surgeries under GA. All the eligible patients underwent HRV evaluation for 10 minutes on the previous day of surgery and the time &amp; frequency domain variables were evaluated. The hemodynamic parameters were recorded at pre-induction, post-induction, post-intubation and for every 3 minutes thereafter for 15 minutes and analysed.: The diabetics had a significantly lower total power (TP) with p-value 0.003. The post- induction mean arterial pressures (MAP) were comparatively lower in diabetics and the difference was significant at 12 minutes post intubation (p= 0.04). The lower trends in heart rate (HR) were comparatively more in diabetics rather than non-diabetics (p= 0.06) and the ephedrine usage was also higher in diabetics (p= 0.07). The measurement of HRV is a simple tool to evaluate the peri-operative risks in patients with suspected cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy.

Cardiac Autonomic Neuropathy in Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus: A Case Report

Cardiac Autonomic Neuropathy (CAN) is a well-recognized complication of diabetes mellitus that affects both type 1 and type 2 diabetic patients. Its clinical presentation can be subtle and early detection is of utmost importance for effective management and prevention of adverse cardiovascular outcomes. We report the case of a 25-year-old male with an 8-year history of type 1 diabetes who presented with dizziness, worse on standing, together with resting and orthostatic tachycardia. Several autonomic function tests have been described in literature to confirm the presence and severity of CAN. However, in an emergency medicine setting common causes of tachycardia (some of them quite critical) must be excluded before attributing tachycardia to autonomic dysfunction secondary to diabetes. That said, CAN must always be considered in diabetic patients with relevant clinical presentation as a rule-out diagnosis. This is particularly important in view of the detrimental cardiovascular sequelae for the patients. In addition, prompt diagnosis of CAN can have a significant impact on patient’s management by triggering optimization of their diabetic control and offering treatment that can alleviate their symptoms. CAN is an admittedly challenging complication of diabetes, with multi-factorial pathogenesis, and largely under-diagnosed with few cases in literature. Further research is needed to enhance our understanding of CAN and to develop early tools for effective diagnosis of diabetes complication. Thus, raising awareness among clinicians for this medical entity can prompt early consideration in our differentials and optimal treatment for the patients.