Diabetic sensorimotor polyneuroneuropathy associated with orthostatic blood pressure changes
Canada: Patients with diabetic sensorimotor polyneuropathy (DSP) frequently experience orthostatic hypertension and orthostatic hypotension, states a recent study in the Journal of Diabetes and its Complications. Orthostatic hypertension compared to orthostatic hypotension was shown to be associated with shorter diabetes duration. Supine and 3 min standing BP is a simple bedside test for orthostatic hypertension and orthostatic hypotension in DSP.
Diabetic sensorimotor polyneuropathy, a type of nerve damage, is a common diabetes complication that is linked with increased mortality, neuropathic pain, foot ulceration, and lower-limb amputation.
The study was conducted by Vera Bril, Toronto General Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, and colleagues to determine the prevalence and associated clinical characteristics of orthostatic hypotension and orthostatic hypertension in DSP patients.
For this purpose, the researchers conducted a single-center retrospective cross-sectional study on 200 DSP patients who had 3-minute orthostatic measures as part of the standard clinic evaluation. The heart rate (HR) and blood pressure (BP) supine were measured and against after 3 min of standing. Supine and 3 min standing BP is a simple bedside test for orthostatic hypertension and orthostatic hypotension in DSP.
Based on their study, the researchers reported the following findings:
- The prevalence of orthostatic hypotension was 19.5% and that of orthostatic hypertension was 23%.
- Subjects with orthostatic hypotension had significantly longer diabetes duration than subjects who were normotensive and those with orthostatic hypertension.
- Quantitatively, BP changes from supine to standing correlated with diabetes duration (R = 0.306) and age (R = 0.434) in subjects with orthostatic hypotension.
The researchers conclude, "In patients with diabetic sensorimotor polyneuropathy (DSP), Orthostatic hypertension and orthostatic hypotension are frequent. Orthostatic hypertension is associated with a shorter diabetes duration than orthostatic hypotension."
Further, BP changes from supine to standing correlated positively with diabetes duration.
Reference:
Idiaquez Rios JF, Lovblom LE, Perkins BA, Bril V. Orthostatic blood pressure changes and diabetes duration. J Diabetes Complications. 2022 Mar 15:108169. doi: 10.1016/j.jdiacomp.2022.108169. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 35307262.
