Increased serum levels of uric acid are associated with sudomotor dysfunction in subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Exp Diabetes Res. 2011:2011:346051. doi: 10.1155/2011/346051. Epub 2011 Sep 15.

Abstract

The aim of this paper was to assess serum uric acid (SUA) levels in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) with or without sudomotor dysfunction (evaluated by the Neuropad test). We included 36 T2DM patients with sudomotor dysfunction (group A: mean age 63.1 ± 2.6 years) and 40 age-, gender-, renal function- and T2DM duration-matched patients without sudomotor dysfunction (group B: mean age 62.1 ± 3.1 years). SUA was significantly higher in group A (P < 0.001). There was a significant correlation between SUA and Neuropad time to colour change in both groups (group A: r(s) = 0.819, P < 0.001; group B: r(s) = 0.774, P < 0.001). There was also a significant positive correlation between SUA and CRP in both groups (group A: r(s) = 0.947, P < 0.001; group B: r(s) = 0.848, P < 0.001). In conclusion, SUA levels were higher in T2DM patients with sudomotor dysfunction than those without this complication. The potential role of SUA in sudomotor dysfunction merits further study.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / blood
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / complications*
  • Diabetic Neuropathies / blood
  • Diabetic Neuropathies / physiopathology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / physiopathology
  • Sweat / metabolism
  • Sweating / physiology*
  • Uric Acid / blood*

Substances

  • Uric Acid