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Bjørnkaer A, Gaist LM, Holbech JV, Gaist D, Wirenfeldt M, Sindrup SH, Krøigård T. Corneal confocal microscopy in small and mixed fiber neuropathy-Comparison with skin biopsy and cold detection in a large prospective cohort. J Peripher Nerv Syst 2023; 28:664-676. [PMID: 37651181 DOI: 10.1111/jns.12595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2023] [Revised: 08/28/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS The diagnosis of small fiber neuropathy (SFN) is supported by reduced intraepidermal nerve fiber density (IENFD). The noninvasive method corneal confocal microscopy (CCM) has the potential to be a practical alternative. We aimed to estimate the diagnostic accuracy of CCM compared with IENFD and cold detection thresholds (CDT) in SFN and mixed fiber neuropathy (MFN). METHODS CCM was performed in an unselected prospective cohort of patients with a clinical suspicion of polyneuropathy. Predefined criteria were used to classify SFN and MFN. Neuropathy scores, including the Utah early neuropathy scale (UENS), were used to describe severity. Patients with established other diagnoses were used for diagnostic specificity calculations. RESULTS Data were taken from 680 patients, of which 244 had SFN or MFN. There was no significant difference in sensitivities [95%CI] of CCM (0.44 [0.38-0.51]), IEFND (0.43 [0.36-0.49]), and CDT (0.34 [0.29-0.41]). CCM specificity (0.75 [0.69-0.81]) was lower (p = .044) than for IENFD (0.99 [0.96-1.00]) but not than for CDT (0.81 [0.75-0.86]). The AUCs of the ROC curves of 0.63, 0.63 and 0.74 respectively, was lower for corneal nerve fiber density (p = .0012) and corneal nerve fiber length (p = .0015) compared with IENFD. While UENS correlated significantly with IENFD (p = .0016; R2 = .041) and CDT (p = .0002; R2 = .056), it did not correlate with CCM measures. INTERPRETATION The diagnostic utility of CCM in SNF and MFN is limited by the low specificity compared with skin biopsy. Further, CCM is less suitable than skin biopsy and CDT as a marker for neuropathy severity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asger Bjørnkaer
- Neurology Research Unit, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
- University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Laura M Gaist
- Neurology Research Unit, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
- University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Jakob V Holbech
- Neurology Research Unit, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
- University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - David Gaist
- Neurology Research Unit, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
- University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Martin Wirenfeldt
- University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
- Pathology Research Unit, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
| | - Søren H Sindrup
- Neurology Research Unit, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
- University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
- Odense Patient data Explorative Network (OPEN), Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
| | - Thomas Krøigård
- Neurology Research Unit, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
- University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
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Gylfadottir SS, Itani M, Kristensen AG, Nyengaard JR, Sindrup SH, Jensen TS, Finnerup NB, Karlsson P. Assessing Corneal Confocal Microscopy and Other Small Fiber Measures in Diabetic Polyneuropathy. Neurology 2023; 100:e1680-e1690. [PMID: 36750383 PMCID: PMC10115507 DOI: 10.1212/wnl.0000000000206902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Accepted: 12/23/2022] [Indexed: 02/09/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Damage to small nerve fibers is common in diabetic polyneuropathy (DPN), and the diagnosis of DPN relies on subjective symptoms and signs in a combination with objective confirmatory tests, typically electrophysiology or intraepidermal nerve fiber density (IENFD) from skin biopsy. Corneal confocal microscopy (CCM) has been introduced as a tool to detect DPN. However, it is unclear if CCM can reliably be used to diagnose DPN and how the technique compares with other commonly used measures of small fiber damage, such as IENFD, cold detection threshold (CDT), and warm detection threshold (WDT). Therefore, we assessed and compared the use of CCM, IENFD, CDT, and WDT in the diagnosis of DPN in patients with type 2 diabetes. METHODS In this cohort study, the participants underwent detailed neurologic examination, electrophysiology, quantification of IENFD, CCM, and quantitative sensory testing. Definition of DPN was made in accordance with the Toronto criteria for diabetic neuropathy (without relying on IENFD and thermal thresholds). RESULTS A total of 214 patients with at least probable DPN, 63 patients without DPN, and 97 controls without diabetes were included. Patients with DPN had lower CCM measures (corneal nerve fiber length [CNFL], nerve fiber density, and branch density), IENFD, CDT, and WDT compared with patients without DPN (p ≤ 0.001, <0.001, 0.002, p < 0.001, p = 0.003, and <0.005, respectively), whereas there was no difference between controls and patients with diabetes without DPN. All 3 CCM measures showed a very low diagnostic sensitivity with CNFL showing the highest (14.4% [95% CI 9.8-18.4]) and a specificity of 95.7% (88.0-99.1). In comparison, the sensitivity of abnormal CDT and/or WDT was 30.5% (24.4-37.0) with a specificity of 84.9% (74.6-92.2). The sensitivity of abnormal IENFD was highest among all measures with a value of 51.1% (43.7-58.5) and a specificity of 90% (79.5-96.2). CCM measures did not correlate with IENFD, CDT/WDT, or neuropathy severity in the group of patients with DPN. DISCUSSION CCM measures showed the lowest sensitivity compared with other small fiber measures in the diagnosis of DPN. This indicates that CCM is not a sensitive method to detect DPN in recently diagnosed type 2 diabetes. CLASSIFICATION OF EVIDENCE This study provides Class III evidence that CCM measures aid in the detection of DPN in recently diagnosed type 2 diabetics but with a low sensitivity when compared with other small fiber measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra S Gylfadottir
- From the Department of Clinical Medicine (S.S.G., T.S.J., N.B.F., P.K.), Danish Pain Research Centre, and Core Centre for Molecular Morphology (J.R.N., P.K.), Aarhus University; Departments of Neurology (S.S.G, T.S.J., N.B.F.), Clinical Neurophysiology (A.G.K.), and Pathology (J.R.N.), Aarhus University Hospital; and Department of Neurology (M.I., S.H.S.), Odense University Hospital, Denmark
| | - Mustapha Itani
- From the Department of Clinical Medicine (S.S.G., T.S.J., N.B.F., P.K.), Danish Pain Research Centre, and Core Centre for Molecular Morphology (J.R.N., P.K.), Aarhus University; Departments of Neurology (S.S.G, T.S.J., N.B.F.), Clinical Neurophysiology (A.G.K.), and Pathology (J.R.N.), Aarhus University Hospital; and Department of Neurology (M.I., S.H.S.), Odense University Hospital, Denmark
| | - Alexander G Kristensen
- From the Department of Clinical Medicine (S.S.G., T.S.J., N.B.F., P.K.), Danish Pain Research Centre, and Core Centre for Molecular Morphology (J.R.N., P.K.), Aarhus University; Departments of Neurology (S.S.G, T.S.J., N.B.F.), Clinical Neurophysiology (A.G.K.), and Pathology (J.R.N.), Aarhus University Hospital; and Department of Neurology (M.I., S.H.S.), Odense University Hospital, Denmark
| | - Jens R Nyengaard
- From the Department of Clinical Medicine (S.S.G., T.S.J., N.B.F., P.K.), Danish Pain Research Centre, and Core Centre for Molecular Morphology (J.R.N., P.K.), Aarhus University; Departments of Neurology (S.S.G, T.S.J., N.B.F.), Clinical Neurophysiology (A.G.K.), and Pathology (J.R.N.), Aarhus University Hospital; and Department of Neurology (M.I., S.H.S.), Odense University Hospital, Denmark
| | - Søren Hein Sindrup
- From the Department of Clinical Medicine (S.S.G., T.S.J., N.B.F., P.K.), Danish Pain Research Centre, and Core Centre for Molecular Morphology (J.R.N., P.K.), Aarhus University; Departments of Neurology (S.S.G, T.S.J., N.B.F.), Clinical Neurophysiology (A.G.K.), and Pathology (J.R.N.), Aarhus University Hospital; and Department of Neurology (M.I., S.H.S.), Odense University Hospital, Denmark
| | - Troels S Jensen
- From the Department of Clinical Medicine (S.S.G., T.S.J., N.B.F., P.K.), Danish Pain Research Centre, and Core Centre for Molecular Morphology (J.R.N., P.K.), Aarhus University; Departments of Neurology (S.S.G, T.S.J., N.B.F.), Clinical Neurophysiology (A.G.K.), and Pathology (J.R.N.), Aarhus University Hospital; and Department of Neurology (M.I., S.H.S.), Odense University Hospital, Denmark
| | - Nanna B Finnerup
- From the Department of Clinical Medicine (S.S.G., T.S.J., N.B.F., P.K.), Danish Pain Research Centre, and Core Centre for Molecular Morphology (J.R.N., P.K.), Aarhus University; Departments of Neurology (S.S.G, T.S.J., N.B.F.), Clinical Neurophysiology (A.G.K.), and Pathology (J.R.N.), Aarhus University Hospital; and Department of Neurology (M.I., S.H.S.), Odense University Hospital, Denmark
| | - Pall Karlsson
- From the Department of Clinical Medicine (S.S.G., T.S.J., N.B.F., P.K.), Danish Pain Research Centre, and Core Centre for Molecular Morphology (J.R.N., P.K.), Aarhus University; Departments of Neurology (S.S.G, T.S.J., N.B.F.), Clinical Neurophysiology (A.G.K.), and Pathology (J.R.N.), Aarhus University Hospital; and Department of Neurology (M.I., S.H.S.), Odense University Hospital, Denmark.
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Cardiac Autonomic Neuropathy in Type 1 and 2 Diabetes: Epidemiology, Pathophysiology, and Management. Clin Ther 2022; 44:1394-1416. [DOI: 10.1016/j.clinthera.2022.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2022] [Revised: 07/23/2022] [Accepted: 09/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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Chen Z, Yin X, Lin L, Shi G, Mo J. Centerline extraction by neighborhood-statistics thinning for quantitative analysis of corneal nerve fibers. Phys Med Biol 2022; 67. [DOI: 10.1088/1361-6560/ac7b63] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2022] [Accepted: 06/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Objective. Corneal nerve fiber (CNF) has been found to exhibit morphological changes associated with various diseases, which can therefore be utilized to aid in the early diagnosis of those diseases. CNF is usually visualized under corneal confocal microscopy (CCM) in clinic. To obtain the diagnostic biomarkers from CNF image produced from CCM, image processing and quantitative analysis are needed. Usually, CNF is segmented first and then CNF’s centerline is extracted, allowing for measuring geometrical and topological biomarkers of CNF, such as density, tortuosity, and length. Consequently, the accuracy of the segmentation and centerline extraction can make a big impact on the biomarker measurement. Thus, this study is aimed to improve the accuracy and universality of centerline extraction. Approach. We developed a new thinning algorithm based on neighborhood statistics, called neighborhood-statistics thinning (NST), to extract the centerline of CNF. Compared with traditional thinning and skeletonization techniques, NST exhibits a better capability to preserve the fine structure of CNF which can effectively benefit the biomarkers measurement above. Moreover, NST incorporates a fitting process, which can make centerline extraction be less influenced by image segmentation. Main results. This new method is evaluated on three datasets which are segmented with five different deep learning networks. The results show that NST is superior to thinning and skeletonization on all the CNF-segmented datasets with a precision rate above 0.82. Last, NST is attempted to be applied for the diagnosis of keratitis with the quantitative biomarkers measured from the extracted centerlines. Longer length and higher density but lower tortuosity were found on the CNF of keratitis patients as compared to healthy patients. Significance. This demonstrates that NST has a good potential to aid in the diagnostics of eye diseases in clinic.
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Cao J, Qu J, Odilov B, Lu B, Zhang Y, Li L, Zhang Y, Xiong Q, Hong Y, Li J, Shen Y, Hou X. Corneal Nerve Parameter Reference Values for Chinese Adults Assessed by Corneal Confocal Microscopy. J Diabetes Res 2022; 2022:4913031. [PMID: 35265718 PMCID: PMC8898861 DOI: 10.1155/2022/4913031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2021] [Accepted: 02/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Confocal corneal microscopy is an excellent new noninvasive tool for assessing diabetic peripheral neuropathy. We aimed to investigate the clinical variables associated with corneal nerve parameters and establish reference values for clinical use in healthy Chinese adults. METHODS The study enlisted 257 healthy volunteers (137 females and 120 males) from two clinical academic centers in China. Two experts captured and selected images of the central corneal subbasal nerve plexus at each center using the same corneal confocal microscopy instrument according to a commonly adopted protocol. Corneal nerve fiber density (CNFD), corneal nerve branch density (CNBD), and corneal nerve fiber length (CNFL) were measured using fully automated software (ACCMetrics). The correlation between clinical indicators and confocal corneal microscopy measures was determined using partial correlation. Quantile regression was used to calculate reference values and estimate the effects of clinical factors on the normative values of confocal corneal microscopy measures. RESULTS Females had significantly higher CNFD, CNBD, and CNFL than males. There was no correlation between age, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), height, weight, body mass index (BMI), and any corneal nerve fiber parameter in both sexes. In either sex, age, weight, height, BMI, and HbA1c did not affect the 0.05th quantile values of any corneal nerve parameter. CONCLUSIONS This study establishes sex-adjusted reference values for corneal confocal microscopy measures in Chinese adults and provides a reference for clinical practice and research with this technique.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Cao
- Department of Endocrinology, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250012, China
- Department of Health Management Center, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, 107 Wenhua W Road, Jinan, Shandong 250012, China
| | - Jingru Qu
- Department of Endocrinology, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250012, China
- Institute of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases of Shandong University, 107 Wenhua W Road, Jinan, Shandong 250012, China
- Key Laboratory of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Shandong Province Medicine & Health, 107 Wenhua W Road, Jinan, Shandong 250012, China
- Jinan Clinical Research Center for Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Shandong Province Medicine & Health, 107 Wenhua W Road, Jinan, Shandong 250012, China
| | - Bekzod Odilov
- Department of Endocrinology, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250012, China
| | - Bin Lu
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, 12 Wulumuqi Middle Road, Shanghai 200040, China
| | - Yuanpin Zhang
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, 12 Wulumuqi Middle Road, Shanghai 200040, China
| | - Lili Li
- Department of Endocrinology, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250012, China
- Department of Ultrasound, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, 758 Hefei Road, Qingdao, Shandong 266000, China
| | - Yuan Zhang
- Clinical Epidemiology Unit, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, 107 Wenhua W Road, Jinan, Shandong 250012, China
- Clinical Research Center of Shandong University, 107 Wenhua W Road, Jinan, Shandong 250012, China
| | - Qian Xiong
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Gonghui Hospital, 315 Shimen No. 1 Road, Shanghai 200040, China
| | - Yu Hong
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Gonghui Hospital, 315 Shimen No. 1 Road, Shanghai 200040, China
| | - Jianqiao Li
- Department of Ophthalmology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, 107 Wenhua W Road, Jinan, Shandong 250012, China
| | - Yunfeng Shen
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Institute for the Study of Endocrinology and Metabolism in Jiangxi Province, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, 1 Minde Road, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, China
| | - Xinguo Hou
- Department of Endocrinology, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250012, China
- Institute of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases of Shandong University, 107 Wenhua W Road, Jinan, Shandong 250012, China
- Key Laboratory of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Shandong Province Medicine & Health, 107 Wenhua W Road, Jinan, Shandong 250012, China
- Jinan Clinical Research Center for Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Shandong Province Medicine & Health, 107 Wenhua W Road, Jinan, Shandong 250012, China
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Carmichael J, Fadavi H, Ishibashi F, Howard S, Boulton AJM, Shore AC, Tavakoli M. Implementation of corneal confocal microscopy for screening and early detection of diabetic neuropathy in primary care alongside retinopathy screening: Results from a feasibility study. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:891575. [PMID: 36313738 PMCID: PMC9597366 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.891575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2022] [Accepted: 09/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Screening for diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) is essential for early detection and timely intervention. Quantitative assessment of small nerve fiber damage is key to the early diagnosis and assessment of its progression. Corneal confocal microscopy (CCM) is a non-invasive, in-vivo diagnostic technique that provides an accurate surrogate biomarker for small-fiber neuropathy. In this novel study for the first time, we introduced CCM to primary care as a screening tool for DPN alongside retinopathy screening to assess the level of neuropathy in this novel cohort. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS 450 consecutive subjects with type 1 or type 2 diabetes attending for annual eye screening in primary care optometry settings underwent assessment with CCM to establish the prevalence of sub-clinical diabetic peripheral neuropathy. Subjects underwent assessment for neurological and ocular symptoms of diabetes and a history of diabetic foot disease, neuropathy and diabetic retinopathy (DR). RESULTS CCM examination was completed successfully in 427 (94.9%) subjects, 22% of whom had neuropathy according to Diabetic Neuropathy Symptom (DNS) score. The prevalence of sub-clinical neuropathy as defined by abnormal corneal nerve fiber length (CNFL) was 12.9%. In the subjects with a short duration of type 2 diabetes, 9.2% had abnormal CNFL. CCM showed significant abnormalities in corneal nerve parameters in this cohort of subjects with reduction of corneal nerve fiber density (CNFD, p<0.001), CNFL (p<0.001) and corneal nerve branch density (CNBD, p<0.001) compared to healthy subjects. In subjects who had no evidence of DR (67% of all subjects), 12.0% had abnormal CNFL. CONCLUSIONS CCM may be a sensitive biomarker for early detection and screening of DPN in primary care alongside retinopathy screening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josie Carmichael
- Exeter Centre of Excellence for Diabetes Research, National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Exeter Clinical Research Facility, and Institute of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, University of Exeter Medical School, Exeter, United Kingdom
| | - Hassan Fadavi
- Peripheral Neuropathy Group, Imperial College, London, United Kingdom
- University of Manchester, Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology & Gastroenterology, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Fukashi Ishibashi
- Internal Medicine, Ishibashi Medical and Diabetes Centre, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Susan Howard
- National Institute for Health Research Collaboration for Leadership in Applied Health Research and Care (NIHR CLAHRC), Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew J. M. Boulton
- University of Manchester, Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology & Gastroenterology, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Angela C. Shore
- Exeter Centre of Excellence for Diabetes Research, National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Exeter Clinical Research Facility, and Institute of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, University of Exeter Medical School, Exeter, United Kingdom
| | - Mitra Tavakoli
- Exeter Centre of Excellence for Diabetes Research, National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Exeter Clinical Research Facility, and Institute of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, University of Exeter Medical School, Exeter, United Kingdom
- University of Manchester, Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology & Gastroenterology, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
- *Correspondence: Mitra Tavakoli,
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Early Detection of Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy: A Focus on Small Nerve Fibres. Diagnostics (Basel) 2021; 11:diagnostics11020165. [PMID: 33498918 PMCID: PMC7911433 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics11020165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2020] [Revised: 01/14/2021] [Accepted: 01/20/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) is the most common complication of both type 1 and 2 diabetes. As a result, neuropathic pain, diabetic foot ulcers and lower-limb amputations impact drastically on quality of life, contributing to the individual, societal, financial and healthcare burden of diabetes. DPN is diagnosed at a late, often pre-ulcerative stage due to a lack of early systematic screening and the endorsement of monofilament testing which identifies advanced neuropathy only. Compared to the success of the diabetic eye and kidney screening programmes there is clearly an unmet need for an objective reliable biomarker for the detection of early DPN. This article critically appraises research and clinical methods for the diagnosis or screening of early DPN. In brief, functional measures are subjective and are difficult to implement due to technical complexity. Moreover, skin biopsy is invasive, expensive and lacks diagnostic laboratory capacity. Indeed, point-of-care nerve conduction tests are convenient and easy to implement however questions are raised regarding their suitability for use in screening due to the lack of small nerve fibre evaluation. Corneal confocal microscopy (CCM) is a rapid, non-invasive, and reproducible technique to quantify small nerve fibre damage and repair which can be conducted alongside retinopathy screening. CCM identifies early sub-clinical DPN, predicts the development and allows staging of DPN severity. Automated quantification of CCM with AI has enabled enhanced unbiased quantification of small nerve fibres and potentially early diagnosis of DPN. Improved screening tools will prevent and reduce the burden of foot ulceration and amputations with the primary aim of reducing the prevalence of this common microvascular complication.
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