Loss of Sensation in Feet Linked to Cardiovascular Disease and Stroke in Diabetics

A team of researchers stated that loss of sensation in feet is a predictor of cardiovascular disease and stroke among diabetes patients.

Diabetes refers to a group of diseases that affect the way our body uses blood sugar. This serious chronic disease is the 7^th leading cause of death in the U.S. Diabetes also destroys the blood vessels and nerves of the patients, especially if their blood sugar is poorly controlled. This further leads to poor circulation and loss of sensation in feet - which is referred to as peripheral neuropathy. The damage caused to the vessels and nerves can lead to the development of ulcers in the foot; in worst cases, the foot or the leg might need amputation.

The finding is based on the analysis of the data of 13,000 patients, who were diagnosed with type-2 diabetes in England. None of the participants had any history of cardiovascular diseases. Diabetics face a high risk of developing cardiovascular diseases like heart attacks, but it is extremely challenging to predict which patients face a greater risk.  

The researchers noticed that lack of sensation in feet, which can be easily identified by patient's GP, might hint towards future heart and circulation problems.  

Jack Brownrigg, a PhD student at St George's in the University of London who conducted the research at St George's Vascular Institute, said: "We looked at data on individuals with no history of cardiovascular disease and found that those with peripheral neuropathy were more likely to develop cardiovascular disease."

The researchers suggested that peripheral neuropathy offers a simple clinical way to recognize those higher-risk individuals with diabetes who also need intensive care and monitoring.  Loss of sensation in the feet also offers additional data to guide patient management.

"The good news is that peripheral neuropathy can be easily identified by simple tests carried out in GP surgeries. The results of the study warrant further investigation as to whether even greater control of risk factors including blood pressure and blood sugar can prevent or delay the onset of cardiovascular disease. There is likely an unmet potential to reduce cardiovascular disease in this group of patients through greater monitoring and simple treatments," said Robert Hinchliffe, co-author of the study.

The study was documented in the journal Heart.