Terahertz imaging demonstrates its diagnostic potential and reveals a relationship between cutaneous dehydration and neuropathy for diabetic foot syndrome patients

Sci Rep. 2022 Feb 24;12(1):3110. doi: 10.1038/s41598-022-06996-w.

Abstract

Diabetic foot syndrome, a long term consequence of Diabetes Mellitus, is the most common cause of non-traumatic amputations. Around 8% of the world population suffers from diabetes, 15% of diabetic patients present a diabetic foot ulcer which leads to amputation in 2.5% of the cases. There is no objective method for the early diagnosis and prevention of the syndrome and its consequences. We test terahertz imaging, which is capable of mapping the cutaneous hydration, for the evaluation of the diabetic foot deterioration as an early diagnostic test as well as ulcers prevention and tracking tool. Furthermore, the analysis of our terahertz measurements combined with neurological and vascular assessment of the patients indicates that the dehydration is mainly related to the peripheral neuropathy without a significant vascular cause.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Dehydration / physiopathology
  • Diabetic Foot / diagnostic imaging*
  • Diabetic Foot / physiopathology
  • Diabetic Nephropathies / diagnostic imaging
  • Diabetic Nephropathies / physiopathology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mexico
  • Middle Aged
  • Peripheral Nervous System Diseases
  • Risk Factors
  • Skin / metabolism
  • Terahertz Imaging / methods*