Tingling Feet may Lead-up to Diabetes

University of Utah researchers have determined tingling in the feet (neuropathy) could be an early warning indicator for impaired glucose tolerance, or prediabetes.

67 patients underwent nerve conduction studies as well as a series of other neuropathy testing. They were compared to 52 patients with diabetic neuropathy and 42 with diabetes but no neuropathy. The findings showed that the electrophysiologic characteristics were similar between both sets of patients without neuropathic symptoms.

“Awareness of the symptoms and electrophysiologic similarities can lead to early diagnosis and treatment for prediabetes, which we hope will result in improved neuropathy symptoms,” said researcher Dr. Gordon Smith of the University of Utah.

The research results will be reported at the American Association of Neuromuscular & Electrodiagnostic Medicine in Monterey, California, next week.

Source: UPI