A new FDA-approved device detects diabetic neuropathy via sweatglands, according to an announcement from the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists about new research. The method "identifies sweat dysfunction in the hands and feet by measuring the skin conductance response through the sweat glands," also helping to diagnose what type of diabetic neuropathy one has.
"The new method requires no special skills and has a sensitivity of 80 percent and specificity of 90 percent for diagnosing peripheral neuropathy," said Aaron Vinik, M.D., director of research and the euroendocrine unit at Eastern Virginia Medical School, who presented the research. This new test should be a welcome addition to our means of detecting neuropathy, identifying patients at risk for foot ulcers and amputations, as well as falling and fractures and allow early prevention and intervention to avoid these untoward effects of neuropathy." Abstract.