Corneal confocal microscopy as a tool for detecting diabetic polyneuropathy in a cohort with screen-detected type 2 diabetes: ADDITION-Denmark

Aims

In this cross-sectional study, we explored the utility of corneal confocal microscopy (CCM) measures for detecting diabetic polyneuropathy (DPN) and their association with clinical variables, in a cohort with type 2 diabetes.

Methods

CCM, nerve conduction studies, and assessment of symptoms and clinical deficits of DPN were undertaken in 144 participants with type 2 diabetes and 25 controls. DPN was defined according to the Toronto criteria for confirmed DPN.

Results

Corneal nerve fiber density (CNFD) was lower both in participants with confirmed DPN (n?=?27) and in participants without confirmed DPN (n?=?117) compared with controls (P?=?0.04 and P?=?0.01, respectively). No differences were observed for CNFD (P?=?0.98) between participants with and without DPN. There were no differences in CNFL and CNBD between groups (P?=?0.06 and P?=?0.29, respectively). CNFD was associated with age, height, total- and LDL cholesterol.

Conclusions

CCM could not distinguish patients with and without neuropathy, but CNFD was lower in patients with type 2 diabetes compared to controls. Age may influence the level of CCM measures.