慢性失眠对老年糖尿病患者静息心率及心率变异性的影响

目的探讨慢性失眠对老年糖尿病患者静息心率(RHR)及心率变异性(HRV)的影响。方法入选老年患者236例,分为健康对照组62例,单纯糖尿病组64例,糖尿病合并失眠组110例,其中糖尿病合并失眠组按失眠病程分为<5年组(40例),5⁹年组(38例)和≥10年组(32例)。所有患者行常规心电图及24 h心电图检查,并对RHR,HRV时域指标窦性R-R间标准差(SDNN)、窦性R-R间期标准差(SDANN)、窦性R-R间期标准差均值(SDNN index)、窦性R-R间期差值>50 ms(r MSSD)和R-R连质差异均值的平方根(PNN50),频域指标低频(LF)、高频(HF)及LF/FH进行对比分析。结果与健康对照组相比,单纯糖尿病组和糖尿病合并失眠组HRV各时域指标及频域指标LF、HF降低,RHR及LF/HF增高(P<0.05)。与单纯糖尿病组相比,糖尿病合并失眠组HRV各时域指标及频域指标LF、HF降低明显,LF/HF增高明显(P<0.05)。糖尿病合并失眠组中失眠病程59年组(38例)和≥10年组(32例)。所有患者行常规心电图及24 h心电图检查,并对RHR,HRV时域指标窦性R-R间标准差(SDNN)、窦性R-R间期标准差(SDANN)、窦性R-R间期标准差均值(SDNN index)、窦性R-R间期差值>50 ms(r MSSD)和R-R连质差异均值的平方根(PNN50),频域指标低频(LF)、高频(HF)及LF/FH进行对比分析。结果与健康对照组相比,单纯糖尿病组和糖尿病合并失眠组HRV各时域指标及频域指标LF、HF降低,RHR及LF/HF增高(P<0.05)。与单纯糖尿病组相比,糖尿病合并失眠组HRV各时域指标及频域指标LF、HF降低明显,LF/HF增高明显(P<0.05)。糖尿病合并失眠组中失眠病程5⁹年组和≥10年组的HRV各时域指标及频域指标LF、HF降低,RHR及LF/HF增高(P<0.05);失眠病程≥10年组的HRV各时域指标及频域指标LF、HF较59年组和≥10年组的HRV各时域指标及频域指标LF、HF降低,RHR及LF/HF增高(P<0.05);失眠病程≥10年组的HRV各时域指标及频域指标LF、HF较5⁹年组进一步降低,RHR及LF/HF进一步增高(P<0.05)。结论慢性失眠可加重老年糖尿病患者自主神经功能紊乱,其中失眠病程越长,糖尿病患者自主神经功能紊乱程度更明显。     

心肌梗死与心肌梗死伴糖尿病患者的心率变异性分析

应用24小时全信息动态心电监测仪,分别测定单纯MI组(39例),MI合并T2DM组(20)例,正常对照组(24例)HRV的时域指标:总体标准差(SDNN),均值标准差(SDANN),差值均方的平方根(rMSSD)和爱丁堡指数(pNN50);频域指标:低频(LF)反应交感神经张力,高频(HF)反应迷走神经能力,低/高比率(LF/HF)反应交感神经与迷走神经均衡性。结果与对照组比较,单纯MI组SDNN、HF显著降低(P0.05),rMSSD、PNN50差异无显著意义。MI伴DM组与对照组比较,HRV时域指标SDNN、SDANN、PNN50显著降低,HF降低、LF/HF升高有显著意义。与单纯MI组比较,SDNN、HF差异有统计学意义,其余指标比较无显著意义。结论心肌梗死伴糖尿病患者HRV降低可能与糖尿病性神经系统损害及心肌缺血程度较单纯心肌梗死严重有关。     

心率变异性分析对糖尿病合并自主神经病变的诊断价值

采用24小时标准差法（SDNN）和心率变异指数法（HRVI），分析34例Ⅱ型糖尿病患者和42例正常人的心率变异（HRV），结果发现Ⅱ型糖尿病患者的HRV显著低于正常人（P＜0．05）。糖尿病合并自主神经病变（AN）者HRV显著低于不合并AN者。HRV与呼吸差、立卧差、30／15比值和乏氏指数呈正相关（γ分别为：0．86，0．90，0．78，0．81，P＜0．05）。如将SDNN＜30ms作为判定糖尿病合并AN的指标，敏感性是80．0％，特异性是84．2％。提示HRV可作为评价糖尿病合并AN的指标。     

老年卧床不起患者心率变异性特点的研究

目的　了解老年卧床不起患者的心率变异性 (HRV)特点。　方法　选择≥ 6 0岁的住院患者 91例 ,根据功能独立试验检查 (FIM )分为功能独立组 (32例 )、部分依赖组 (31例 )和完全依赖组 (2 8例 ) ,检测动态心电图 ,分析正常RR间期标准差 (SDNN)、总功率谱 (TP)、均值的标准差(SDANN)、低频段 (LF)、均方根 (MSSD)、爱丁堡指数 (PNN5 0 )、高频段 (HF)及LF与HF的比率(LF/HF)等 8项HRV指标 ,比较组间差异。　结果　完全依赖组、部分依赖组SDNN、TP、SDANN、LF、MSSD、PNN5 0和HF较功能独立组降低 (P <0 .0 5 ) ;完全依赖组SDNN、TP和SDANN较部分依赖组降低 (P <0 .0 5 ) ;LF/HF在 3组之间差别无显著性 (P >0 .0 5 ) ;SDNN与FIM呈正相关 (r =0 .85 3 ,P <0 .0 5 )。卧床不起的病因及伴发疾病的数目对心率变异性无明显影响。　结论　老年卧床不起患者的HRV降低 ,与运动量减少有关。     

2型糖尿病患者心率变异性分析

目的分析2型糖尿病患者心率变异性(HRV)及其影响因素。方法对91例2型糖尿病患者和75名健康者进行24 h动态心电图监测,并测定HRV时域指标[正常RR间期的标准差(sDNN),5 min平均RR间期的标准差(sDANN),相邻RR间期之差的均方根值(RMSSD),爱丁堡指数(PNN50)]和频域指标低频[(LF)/高频(HF)],测定2型糖尿病患者的糖化血红蛋白(GHB)、空腹胰岛素(FINS)、空腹C肽(FCP)、空腹血糖(FBS)、餐后血糖(PBS)、餐后2 h胰岛素(PINS)、餐后2 h c肽(PCP)。结果 2型糖尿病患者HRV指标较健康者显著降低,RMSSD、LF/HF差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。HRV指标SDNN、RMSSD与GHB呈负相关。结论 2型糖尿病患者HRV降低,提示心脏自主神经功能受损,它受GHB的影响。     

2型糖尿病患者心率变异与颈动脉内膜增厚

目的 探讨2型糖尿病患者心率变异(HRV)与颈动脉内膜增厚的关系及其临床意义.方法 2型糖尿病患者132例按颈动脉内膜一中膜厚度(IMT)分T1组(36例,IMT＜1.0 mm),T2组(54例,IMT 1.1～1.3 ram),T3组(42例,IMT≥1.3 mm)及30例正常对照者(TO组)作为研究对象.Holter HRV时域、频域指标评估心脏自主神经调节功能.结果 1)2型糖尿病有或无颈动脉内膜增厚组各HRV指标(SDNN,SDANN,RMSSD,PNN50,SDNN指数)均较正常对照组低(P＜0.05或P＜0.01).2)2型糖尿病合并颈动脉内膜增厚者HRV指数较无病变者有进一步的下降,而且HRV指数与IMT呈负相关.结论 HRV是2型糖尿病颈动脉粥样硬化的独立相关因素,可对大血管并发症作出早期的诊断,改善预后.     

2型糖尿病患者心率变异与颈动脉内膜增厚

目的探讨2型糖尿病患者心率变异(HRV)与颈动脉内膜增厚的关系及其临床意义。方法2型糖尿病患者132例按颈动脉内膜-中膜厚度(IMT)分T1组(36例,IMT<1·0mm),T2组(54例,IMT1·1～1·3mm),T3组(42例,IMT≥1·3mm)及30例正常对照者(T0组)作为研究对象。HolterHRV时域、频域指标评估心脏自主神经调节功能。结果1)2型糖尿病有或无颈动脉内膜增厚组各HRV指标(SDNN,SDANN,RMSSD,PNN50,SDNN指数)均较正常对照组低(P<0·05或P<0·01)。2)2型糖尿病合并颈动脉内膜增厚者HRV指数较无病变者有进一步的下降,而且HRV指数与IMT呈负相关。结论HRV是2型糖尿病颈动脉粥样硬化的独立相关因素,可对大血管并发症作出早期的诊断,改善预后。     

46例2型糖尿病患者窦性心率震荡研究

目的探讨窦性心率震荡与2型糖尿病的关系。方法选择2型糖尿病患者46例和正常对照组50例,根据24h动态心电图记录分别计算其窦性心率震荡(HRT)的两个参数指标震荡初始(TO)和震荡斜率(TS)以及HRV中全部NN间期的标准差(SDNN)。结果①2型糖尿病组TO、TS、SDNN阳性检出率均高于正常组。②糖尿病合并慢性并发症组TO高于无慢性并发症组,糖尿病合并慢性并发症组TS低于无慢性并发症组(P<0.05)。结论 2型糖尿病患者HRT减弱或消失、HRV减弱,提示HRT及HRV可以作为动态评价2型糖尿病患者自主神经功能紊乱的一个可靠无创指标。     

冠心病患者的心率变异与冠状动脉病变和心肌缺血的关系

目的探讨冠心病患者的心率变异(HRV)与冠状动脉(简称冠脉)狭窄程度、冠脉病变、心肌缺血的关系。方法患者405例行三通道动态心电图监测和冠脉造影,根据检测结果分别对冠脉狭窄不同程度、冠脉病变部位和心肌缺血情况进行心率变异性(HRV)分析。结果(1):冠心病患者405例冠脉狭窄276例(68.1%),无狭窄129(31.9%)。检测出有心肌缺血221例(54.6%),无心肌缺血184例(45.4%)。冠脉病变部位以冠脉左前降支(LAD)病变和右冠脉(RCA)病变为主,其次是左回旋支(LCX)病变。(2):随着冠状动脉狭窄程度加重,窦性RR间期标准差(SDNN)、高频功率(HF)降低,而低频功率(LF)/HF升高。SDNN、HF在冠脉重度狭窄组较冠脉无狭窄组有显著的统计学差异。(3):在冠脉病变部位中,HRV指标变化最显著是LAD病变,其次RCA病变,LCX病变不明显。(4):心肌缺血患者SDNN、HF均明显低于无心肌缺血患者(P<0.01)。结论冠心病患者HRV与冠脉狭窄程度、冠脉病变、心肌缺血有密切关系。     

糖尿病高危人群心脏自主神经功能与C反应蛋白水平的研究

目的探讨糖耐量正常的2型糖尿病(T2DM)一级亲属(first degree relatives,FDRs)、糖耐量减低(IGT)及T2DM患者的血清高敏C反应蛋白(hsCRP)水平及心率变异性(HRV),并分析它们之间的关系及其发生机制。方法随机选取37例健康对照(NGT)、60例FDRs、59例IGT及35例T2DM患者,分别测定其血清hsCRP水平、空腹胰岛素、空腹血糖、餐后2 h血糖、血脂,同时计算胰岛素敏感性(IAI)。24 h动态心电监测分析HRV。结果hsCRP在对照组、FDRs、IGT及T2DM组依次升高(P0.05);HRV各项指标〔总体标准差(SDNN)、均值标准差(SDANN)、标准差平均值指数(SDNN)、差值均方平方根(rMSSD);频域分析指标:低频(LF)、高频(HF)〕在NGT、FDRs、IGT及T2DM组依次减低(P0.05,P0.01),hsCRP水平与SDNN、rMSSD、LF、HF负相关;BMI和WHR是hsCRP的影响因素。结论糖耐量正常的T2DM患者的后代以及IGT人群中,已经存在hsCRP升高及HRV异常,且二者密切相关。     

Peripheral vascular disease in Type 2 diabetic Chinese patients: associations with metabolic indices, concomitant vascular disease and genetic factors.

AIMS: Conventional and genetic risk factors have been reported to play a role in the pathogenesis of vascular disease, but do not explain the lower burden of cardiac and peripheral vascular disease (PVD) in Chinese compared with Caucasians. The role of renin-angiotensin system (RAS) gene polymorphisms and conventional vascular risk factors has not been determined. METHODS: A total of 3097 Chinese diabetic subjects were screened for PVD, which was identified in 194 of the 2967 patients with Type 2 diabetes. Biochemical parameters and the genotype and allele frequencies of three RAS gene polymorphisms, the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) insertion/deletion, angiotensinogen (AGT) M235T and angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1R) A1166C polymorphisms were then compared between the PVD patients and 1046 age, gender and diabetes duration-matched patients without PVD. RESULTS: PVD identified in 6.5% was associated with significantly worse glycaemic control, lipid profile and renal function. Smoking was more common, as were the other macro- and microvascular diseases. The prevalence of hypertension was similar between the groups, yet diastolic blood pressure was slightly lower in the PVD group. The ACE D allele was significantly more frequent in patients with PVD compared with the matched diabetic controls (38.1 vs. 29.8%, P = 0.039). No differences in the AT1R or AGT polymorphisms were observed. CONCLUSIONS: PVD was associated with a worse metabolic profile and greater concomitant vascular disease than controls. The ACE I/D polymorphism was associated with PVD in these Type 2 diabetic patients.     

Prediction of asymptomatically poor muscle perfusion of lower extremities in patients with type II diabetes mellitus using an objective radionuclide method

Foot problems are the most common cause of hospital admission in patients with type II diabetes mellitus (DM). Poor muscle perfusion of lower extremities is thought to be the major component in the pathogenesis of foot problems. We used a well-established and non-invasive radionuclide method to objectively evaluate the anterior tibial muscle perfusion of 120 type II DM patients without symptoms/signs of peripheral vascular disease (PVD) in the lower extremities. The patients were separated into groups according to the duration of the disease and condition of blood sugar control. Meanwhile, 60 normal control males with a matched age distribution were also included for comparison. The muscle perfusion were of significant difference between (1) 120 type II DM patients and 60 normal controls, (2) 72 patients with good sugar control and 48 patients with poor sugar control, as well as (3) 64 patients with short disease duration and 56 patient with long disease duration. Based on the objective radionuclide method, we concluded that the muscle perfusion in the lower extremities of type II DM patients without symptoms/signs of PVD is significantly decreased and related to the duration of the disease and condition of blood sugar control.     

Peripheral vascular disease in newly diagnosed non-insulin-dependent diabetic.

The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of peripheral vascular disease (PVD) in newly diagnosed diabetic patients and the possible relationship to various risk factors. One hundred and twenty non-insulin-dependent diabetics (NIDDs) aged 50-70 years and 93 non-diabetic subjects, matched for age and sex, were studied using Doppler ultrasound. None had a history of alcoholic abuse, while 12 diabetic and 8 non-diabetic subjects were smokers. There were 6 male subjects with PVD (5 NIDDs, 1 control subject) and 2 female diabetic subjects with PVD (p: No SD). In group of male diabetics with PVD, HDL-C levels were found to be lower and triglyceride levels higher, than in those without diabetes, but the difference was not significant. Hypertension, body mass index and smoking were not associated with the presence of PVD in either female or male diabetic subjects. It is concluded that, although PVD tended to be more common in men with newly diagnosed diabetes, the overall findings support the view that macrovascular disease is related to duration of diabetes.     

2型糖尿病下肢神经病变心率变异性频域参数的昼夜节律

采用24 h动态心电图检测58例2型糖尿病伴下肢神经病变组、59例2型糖尿病不伴下肢神经病变组(非下肢神经病变组)和50例对照组的心率变异性,比较其频域参数的水平及昼夜间的变化.结果 显示非下肢神经病变组、下肢神经病变组较对照组频域指标减小,平均心率增加;昼夜间比较在对照组差异有统计学意义,在非下肢神经病变组昼夜节律发生改变,在下肢神经病变组昼夜节律消失.提示糖尿病不伴和伴下肢神经病变均存在自主神经功能受损,后者受损更明显.

Abstract：

Heart rate variability(HRV)analysis and its circadian rhythm(CR)were determined in 58patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus with lower extremity neuropathy(diabetic neuropathy group), 59 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus without lower extremity neuropathy(diabetes group), and 50 healthy controls according to 24-hour Holter recording. Frequency domain parameters of HRV were significantly decreased in both diabetes groups. Frequency domain parameter of HRV in healthy controls,and daytime/nighttime difference were statistically significant. CR of HRV was changed in diabetes group and disappeared in diabetic neuropathy group. Impaired and seriously impaired autonomic nervous function developed in type 2 diabetes mellitus without and with lower extremity neuropathy respectively.     

Plasma brain natriuretic peptide levels in normotensive Type 2 diabetic patients without cardiac disease and macroalbuminuria

To clarify the relationship of the plasma brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels to diabetic complications, we studied plasma BNP levels in 100 normotensive diabetic patients without clinical cardiac disease and macroalbuminuria. The values of plasma BNP levels were not significantly different between patients with microalbuminuria and those with normoalbuminuria (12.2 +/- 2.0 vs. 12.3 +/- 1.3 pg/ml, means +/- S.E.M.), and neither were the BNP levels of patients with and without retinopathy significantly different (15.7 +/- 3.4 vs. 11.4 +/- 1.0 pg/ml). BNP levels of the subjects with cerebral vascular disease (CVD) were not statistically different from those of subjects without CVD (17.5 +/- 5.5 vs. 11.7 +/- 1.0 pg/ml), although mean BNP value of subjects with CVD was higher than that of subjects without it. With regard to peripheral vascular disease (PVD), BNP levels of the subjects with PVD were not statistically different from those of subjects without PVD (13.5 +/- 2.3 vs. 12.1 +/- 1.2 pg/ml). We also studied radial arterial oxygen tension of 45 patients and compared these levels between those with and without diabetic complications. However, we could not find statistical differences between them. In conclusion, our study suggests that BNP and arterial oxygen tension levels will not be affected by retinopathy, microalbuminuria, CVD, and PVD in normotensive diabetic patients without clinical cardiac disease and macroalbuminuria. Therefore, when normotensive diabetic patients without macroalbuminuria show increased plasma level of BNP, we should examine their cardiac function in detail, considering subclinical cardiac disease.     

2型糖尿病患者血清可溶性细胞间粘附分子1水平变化及与血管内皮功能的关系

目的研究2型糖尿病患者血清可溶性细胞间粘附分子1水平的变化,并以血浆假性血友病因子水平作为内皮功能损伤的指标,观察细胞间粘附分子1与血管内皮细胞功能损伤之间的关系。方法62例2型糖尿病患者按照有无血管并发症分为无血管病变组(n=19)、微血管病变组(n=20)和大血管病变组(n=23),选择20例健康者作为对照组。应用酶联免疫吸附法检测各组患者血清可溶性细胞间粘附分子1水平和血浆假性血友病因子水平,并测定糖脂代谢指标和尿微量白蛋白水平。结果2型糖尿病患者血清可溶性细胞间粘附分子1水平明显高于健康对照组(P<0.01),在无血管病变组、微血管病变组和大血管病变组的水平逐步升高(P<0.01);血浆假性血友病因子水平在大血管病变组高于微血管病变组,微血管病变组高于无血管病变组(P<0.01),无血管病变组与对照组间无显著性差异。可溶性细胞间粘附分子1与血浆假性血友病因子、甘油三酯、收缩压、舒张压呈正相关(r分别为0.43、0.45、0.52和0.62,P<0.01)。结论细胞间粘附分子1可能参与了2型糖尿病血管病变的发生和发展,可作为早期2型糖尿病患者慢性血管并发症尤其是大血管病变发生的预测及监测指标。     

Lipoprotein profile in men with peripheral vascular disease. Role of intermediate density lipoproteins and apoprotein E phenotypes.

BACKGROUND. The role of lipoprotein disturbances in the development of peripheral vascular disease (PVD) has not been sufficiently clarified. METHODS AND RESULTS. The relations among concentrations of intermediate density lipoproteins (IDL), apoprotein (apo) B, apo E, and other lipoproteins were studied in 102 men with PVD and 100 healthy men who formed the control group. Patients with PVD had significantly higher levels of serum triglycerides, very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) cholesterol, VLDL triglycerides, VLDL proteins, IDL cholesterol, and IDL triglycerides and lower levels of high density lipoproteins (HDL) than controls. Serum cholesterol and triglycerides were normal in 30 patients (cholesterol, less than 5.2 mmol/l; triglycerides, less than 2.3 mmol/l), who had significant increases in IDL triglycerides and significant decreases in HDL cholesterol compared with the 47 controls, who had normal cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Patients with more severe distal involvement showed higher cholesterol and triglycerides carried by IDL and a greater reduction in HDL cholesterol. Smoking patients with PVD showed increased VLDL cholesterol and VLDL triglycerides and lower HDL concentrations. Apo E polymorphism in our study population does not differ from that reported for other European populations. Alleles epsilon 2 and epsilon 4 had a major impact on serum triglycerides and VLDL lipids in our patients with PVD. CONCLUSIONS. Lipoprotein disturbances are a major risk factor for PVD. IDL abnormalities play an important role in the development and severity of PVD and should also be considered a vascular risk factor in normocholesterolemic and normotriglyceridemic patients.     

心率变异评价新疆维吾尔族2型糖尿病患者的自主神经功能

目的　探讨新疆维吾尔族2型糖尿病(T2DM)患者自主神经病变与心率变异(HRV)及其他脏器受损的关系。　方法　选择确诊为 T2DM的 150 例维吾尔族住院患者,其中单纯糖尿病(SDM)组72例,合并心血管疾病的糖尿病(DC)组78例,病程 <5年组54例,5~10年组51例,>10年组45例。正常对照(NC)组为健康的维吾尔族人 60 名,全部进行 24 h动态心电图及 HRV分析。　结果　T2DM患者HRV均小于NC组(t'= 6.5366~9.5677, P<0.05 ),DC组的 HRV较 SDM组低(t=4.0791~8.9233,P<0.05 ),病程>5 年的两组患者所有正常 R R间期的标准差值均低于病程<5年组(t=7.5935~10.631,P<0.05 )。　结论　HRV是早期判断维吾尔族 T2DM患者自主神经病变最准确而又最敏感的方法,可能对是否合并心脏缺血性病变有提示作用。     

Peripheral vascular disease is associated with reduced glycosuria in newly diagnosed type 2 diabetic patients

OBJECTIVES: We examined whether the finding of glycosuria and its level in themselves give information of clinical relevance, apart from being an unreliable indicator of glycemic control. METHODS: Subjects were a population-based sample of 1,284 newly diagnosed type 2 diabetic patients. Median age was 65.2 years. Urinary glucose concentration (UGC) was determined quantitatively in a freshly voided morning urine specimen. RESULTS: The over-all prevalence of peripheral vascular disease (PVD) was 16.5%. Bivariately, high values of UGC were associated with low prevalence of PVD (p<0.001, chi2-test). The predictive value of PVD--together with HbA1c, glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and 10 other possible predictors--was confirmed in a logistic regression analysis with glycosuria (Y/N) as outcome variable (p=0.0004). CONCLUSION: Surprisingly, type 2 diabetic patients with PVD tend not to have glycosuria as compared to patients without PVD. PVD may be indicative of generalized atherosclerotic lesions in the major vessels, including the renal arteries. This could lead to a lowering of GFR and thereby of the amount of glucose filtered. Assuming no, or only a minor direct effect of PVD on tubular function, this would lead to an increased renal threshold for glucose in patients with PVD.     

Autonomic neuropathy and transcutaneous oxymetry in diabetic lower extremities

Summary Transcutaneous oxygen tension is a useful method with which to assess the functional status of skin blood flow. The reduced values observed in diabetic patients have been interpreted as a consequence of peripheral vascular disease. However, diabetic patients show lower transcutaneous oxygen tension values than control subjects with equivalent degrees of peripheral vascular disease, suggesting that additional factors are involved. Since the autonomic nervous system influences peripheral circulation, we studied the relationship between autonomic neuropathy and foot transcutaneous oxymetry in non-insulin-dependent diabetic (NIDDM) patients without peripheral vascular disease. The following age-matched patients were selected and evaluated: control subjects, C, (n=20), NIDDM patients without autonomic neuropathy, D, (n=16) and with autonomic neuropathy, DN, (n=20). All diabetic patients showed lower transcutaneous oxygen tension values than control subjects, while no differences were observed between the diabetic patients with and without autonomic neuropathy. In addition the saturation index that increases in the presence of autonomic neuropathy does not correlate with foot TcPO₂. In conclusion autonomic neuropathy does not influence foot TcPO₂ and therefore it is unlikely that it contributes to development of foot lesions during induction of foot skin ischaemia.Abbreviations NIDDM Non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus - TcPO₂ transcutaneous oxymetry - A-V arterio-venous shunts - PVD peripheral vascular disease - HbA_1c glycated haemoglobin - SI saturation index