Introduction & Objective: Early detection of diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) in patients with diabetes mellitus can prevent amputations. However, diagnosing DPN with nerve conduction studies (NCS) is costly and requires highly trained specialists. We present a novel thermal imaging device to detect DPN via foot temperature recovery after cold provocation, which may provide enhanced DPN screening by lowering costs, facilitating nonspecialist testing, and conserving time and resources.
Methods: NCS and thermal imaging recovery data were collected from 176 patients. Plantar feet were exposed to a 2°C cooling pad for 2 min. Recovery temperature was recorded for a point on the 1st metatarsal on the right foot with a thermal video camera for 90 s. Subjects were grouped into 21 controls, 110 diabetic subjects with negative NCS testing, and 45 diabetic subjects with positive NCS testing.
Results: The figure shows the mean temperature warming following cooling with 95% confidence intervals for the 3 groups. Each curve is statistically different from the others.
Conclusion: Thermal imaging is a useful test to diagnose early DPN. It may also detect small fiber diabetic neuropathy before NCS show positive. Because NCS tests are expensive and only available in advanced clinical facilities, thermal imaging will provide greater access to DPN screening and early intervention for many diabetic patients.
S. Bhatia: None. P. Soliz: None. S. Saint-Lot: None. J. Wigdahl: None. E. Duran-Valdez: None. D.S. Schade: None.
National Institutes of Health (R44DK104578)
