Regional differences in cell-mediated immunity in people with diabetic peripheral neuropathy

K. Pickwell*, M. Geerts, D. van Moorsel, D. Hilkman, M. Kars, N.C. Schaper

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

Aim To study cell-mediated immunity in the feet of people with type 2 diabetes with polyneuropathy. Methods In a cohort comprising people with type 2 diabetes with polyneuropathy (n = 17) and without polyneuropathy (n = 12) and a healthy control group (n = 12) indurations due to delayed-type hypersensitivity responses to intracutaneous Candida albicans antigen were determined in the foot and compared with those in the arm (an area relatively spared in diabetic polyneuropathy). The sizes of indurations on the foot were correlated with electromyographic measurements in the participants with diabetes. Results No differences were observed in the median size of indurations between the foot and arm in healthy controls and participants without polyneuropathy; in participants with polyneuropathy, induration sizes on the foot were smaller than on the arm: 0 (95% CI 0 to 1) vs 5 (95% CI 2 to 6) mm (P < 0.01). In participants with diabetes, larger indurations correlated with better nerve function (Spearman's rho 0.35 to 0.39). Conclusion Our findings suggest that diabetic peripheral polyneuropathy negatively affects cell-mediated immunity in the foot. (Clinical Trials registry no.: NCT01370837)

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)350-355
Number of pages6
JournalDiabetic Medicine
Volume37
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Feb 2020

Keywords

  • denervation
  • foot
  • individuals
  • infections
  • lateralization
  • lower-extremity amputation
  • neurogenic inflammation
  • responses
  • rheumatoid-arthritis
  • RHEUMATOID-ARTHRITIS
  • INFECTIONS
  • NEUROGENIC INFLAMMATION
  • DENERVATION
  • LOWER-EXTREMITY AMPUTATION
  • LATERALIZATION
  • FOOT
  • INDIVIDUALS
  • RESPONSES

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