Grand Rounds explores novel diagnostic test for diabetic neuropathy

Addressing an audience of fellow healthcare professionals at WCMC-Q, Dr. Malik said: Diabetic neuropathy affects about 50 percent of diabetes sufferers and causes many health problems, most typically loss of sensation in the lower limbs and feet. This can be particularly serious as it can lead to ulceration with chronic infection and subsequent amputation of the lower limbs, hence the need for early diagnosis. However, diagnosis of diabetic neuropathy poses several problems because traditionally advocated tests such as physical examinations do not return consistent results, and nerve conduction studies are not good at detecting early-stage neuropathy. Taking a skin biopsy is fairly effective but has the problem of being somewhat invasive.