Abstract
We have reported the usefulsess of transcutaneous oxygen tension (TCPO2) as a marker of the diabetic foot in NIDDM.TCPO2 was already reduced in several subjects without clinical manifestations of peripheral vascular disease (PVD). In the present study, we investigated the relationship between TCPO2, clinical symptoms and numerous variables to analyze risk factors contributing to the reduction of TCPO2. The subjects were 181 NIDDM patients (group D), including 56 patients with PVD and 34 non-diabetic controls (group C).
1) The TCPO2 in group D, especially in subjects with PVD, was significantly lower than in the controls, and 50 mmHg could serve as a reasonable cut-off point for TCPO2.
2) TCPO2 in subjects with intermittent claudication or pain at rest was significantly lower than in subjects without symptoms in their legs.
3) Multiple regression analysis demonstrated that aging, arterial obstruction, microangiopathy, and autonomic neuropathy were the independent risk factors of reduction in TCPO2.
