VASCULAR FUNCTIONAL ABNORMALITIES AND DIABETIC FOOT ULCERATION

这个子项目是众多研究子项目之一

This subproject is one of many research subprojects utilizing the resources provided by a Center grant funded by NIH/NCRR. The subproject and investigator (PI) may have received primary funding from another NIH source, and thus could be represented in other CRISP entries. The institution listed is for the Center, which is not necessarily the institution for the investigator. This is a cohort study of 150 diabetic patients at high risk of foot ulceration, 25 diabetic patients not at risk and 25 healthy control subjects. The main purpose of the study is to identify measurement of vascular function, of both the capillaries and arterioles (microcirculation) and large arteries (macrocirculation) that can predict foot ulceration. More specifically, 150 diabetic patients at risk of developing foot ulceration will be recruited and followed for a period up to three years. One group of 25 non-neuropathic patients and one of 25 healthy subjects will also be followed up to serve as controls. All patients will be re-examined 18 months after their initial visit. The vascular reactivity, which indicates the ability of the vessel to dilate and increase the blood flow, will be measured by employing non-invasive techniques in the participants. Biochemical factors that are indicative of vascular function will also be measured. Finally, forearm skin biopsies will be performed in an effort to evaluate the factors that are involved in the impairment of the vascular function.