Islet cell transplantation improves nerve conduction velocity in type 1 diabetes compared with intensive medical therapy over six years. (December 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Fensom, Blake; Harris, Claire; Thompson, Sharon E.; Al Mehthel, Mohammed; Thompson, David M.
• Is Part Of: Diabetes research and clinical practice. Volume 122(2016)
• Page Start: 101
• Page End: 105
• Publication Date: 2016-12
• Subjects: Diabetic neuropathy -- Islet transplantation; Diabetes -- Periodicals; Diabetes Mellitus -- Periodicals; 616.462
• DOI: 10.1016/j.diabres.2016.10.011
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0168-8227

Abstract

Highlights: Study of medical therapy and islet transplantation on progression of neuropathy. Medically treated patients had worsening of nerve conduction velocity. Islet transplantation improved nerve conduction in patients with existing neuropathy. Abstract: Background: Neuropathy is a common diabetic complication that can result in significant disability. Few treatment options exist to reverse this process. Methods: We conducted a one-way crossover cohort study comparing intensive medical treatment and islet cell transplantation for type 1 diabetes on the change in nerve conduction velocity over six years. Findings: For subjects with some neuropathy at baseline ( Z score below −1), nerve conduction velocity significantly improved post-transplant (slope (0.073 ± 0.042) while it worsened in medically treated patients (−0.136 ± 0.081) ( p < .05). Interpretation: Islet cell transplantation improves nerve conduction velocity and could be further investigated as a treatment for neuropathy in type 1 diabetes.