Reduced or absent sweating (anhidrosis) is a characteristic feature of diabetic neuropathy, especially seen in the feet or legs of patients with diabetes. Previous studies indicated that prolonged hyperglycaemia causes damage to the nerves that innervate the sweat glands, known as sudomotor denervation. Patients with sudomotor denervation have dry feet, are at high risk of skin cracks and infections in the feet, and have an increased risk of diabetic foot and limb amputations. Moreover, studies have linked sweat gland denervation to autonomic cardiovascular neuropathy, which can lead to painless myocardial infarction and arrhythmia.
Denervation of the sweat glands can only be detected by skin biopsy. This is an interventional test which, due to its complexity, is performed only for scientific purposes, so sudomotor denervation is often not detected.
The aim of this joint KTU and LSMU project is to develop a non-invasive tool to detect early diabetic neuropathy and reduce the risk of serious complications. A diffractive optical element with exceptional surface optical properties will be formed and applied to a medical patch to monitor the excretion of human biological fluid (sweat). The results of the project will allow further research, opening the way to earlier and less costly diagnosis of autonomic neuropathy, reducing the risk of serious problems such as limb ulceration and amputation.
Project funding:
KTU Research Fund
Project results:
The project’s intended result is to develop and test a sensitive and specific diagnostic method for early diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) – laser technology. During the project, diffractive sweat patches are being developed based on optical elements, designed to monitor the process of excretion of human biological fluid (sweat). These diffractive patches are a thin composite film consisting of a moisture-sensitive material, an elastic silicone film with periodic micro-/nanostructures formed on the surface, and a special medical patch. The composite patch is applied directly to clean, intact skin of the extremities and, by observing changes in diffraction efficiencies due to surface deformations, it is possible to determine changes in the geometry of the diffractive optical element due to the expansion of the moisture-sensitive material. An optical laser mock-up is created for real-time research.
The project results will open up opportunities to identify the early stage of DPN – sudomotor dysfunction – earlier and at lower costs, which will help reduce patient morbidity and mortality associated with this complication.
Period of project implementation: 2025-04-17 - 2025-12-31
Project partners: Lithuanian University of Health Sciences
