About SUDOSCAN+

Small fiber nerves are early victims of diabetes

Diabetes is known to affect the peripheral nervous system while symptoms remain sub-clinical. Small nerve fibres are the very first victims. SUDOSCAN+ is a new device for follow-up of diabetes complications.

Normal innervation of a sweat gland at the distal leg in a healthy subject (left). Reduced innervation of a sweat gland in a diabetic patient (right).

Reproduced with permission from Lauria et al. [1]

A quick sudomotor function test

SUDOSCAN+ measures the capacity of the sweat glands to release chloride ions in response to an electrochemical activation. It is a dynamic test equivalent to a stress test. A low voltage of variable amplitude is applied to electrodes on the skin and the electrical potential difference caused by the electrochemical reaction on these electrodes is measured. EZSCAN uses 4 independent electrodes placed on body regions with a high density of sweat glands (palms, feet).

Conductances mesured on hands and feet are displayed

Following a three minute data sampling period, the conductances which are related to the concentration of the extracted chloride from the sweat  are displayed graphically on the touch screen.

Some graphs show left vs right measurements on hand and feet. These graphs evaluate the  right-left symmetry.

Scores measuring neuropathy on hands and feet and a probability score representative of autonomic neuropathy risk are displayed.

Once a neuropathy is suspected or confirmed, more specialised tests are recommended to confirm the results and to adapt therapy.