Autonomic neuropathies in skin and its incidence in non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.

The autonomic function of nerve fibres was investigated with the newly developed hyperthermal Laser-Doppler-Flowmetry in 45 patients suffering from Non-Insulin-Dependent Diabetes Mellitus (NIDDM). They were divided into 3 groups depending on the duration of NIDDM. Group A contained a duration of 1-3 years, group B 4-5 years and group C 5-6 years. All groups showed a dysfunction of autonomic nerve fibres: in group A there were 4 of 11 patients, in group B 2 of 13 and in group C no patients with values within the normal ranges. So autonomic neuropathies of skin seem to be one of the earliest complications in NIDDM