Methods for evaluating the skin microcirculation in patients with diabetes

Abstract

The development of diabetic microangiopathy is preceded by functional changes in microcirculation. Capturing them at an early stage can improve patients prognosis. The microcirculation of the skin is relatively easy to assess. There is a number of non-invasive methods which can be used for these purposes. This study contains a brief description of the currently available methods of the skin microcirculation evaluation. These methods, supplemented by provocative tests reflecting vascular reactivity, allow the assessment of blood vessels in people with diabetes.