INTACT Trial - an Observational Study to Assess Neuropathy in Diabetic Children

Uroflowmetry will be performed using a uroflow-cystometer (UroDoc Frytech) which determines Qmax, Qave and TQmax. Voided volume (in mL), voiding time (in sec), average and maximum urinary flow rate (Qave and Qmax in mL/sec), and time to maximum urinary flow (TQmax in sec) will be measured; urine flow acceleration (Qacc in mL/sec2) will be calculated. Qmax and Qave are defined according to the International Children's Continence Society. Voided volume will be measured by the uroflow-cystometer device; boys void in a standing, girls in a sitting position. Postvoid bladder diameter (mm) will be measured by ultrasonography and converted to bladder residual volume (mL). The device will be calibrated according to the prescribed instructions for use by a skilled technician. The examinations will take approximately 10 minutes.

CAD will be assessed by five reproducible and standardized cardiovascular reflex tests described by Ewing et al. Three of the five tests assess parasympathetic function: heart rate response to deep breathing, to standing, and the Valsalva maneuver. Two tests evaluate sympathetic function which are blood pressure responses from lying to standing and at sustained handgrip. Each of these five tests is assigned a score of 0 for normal, 0.5 for borderline, and 1 for abnormal results. The sum of these 5 scores - which is the Ewing score - is used to assess severity of CAD. Patients having Ewing score ≥ 2 form the CAD + group, and patients who have less than 2 form the CAD - group.

Peripheral neuropathy will be evaluated by nerve conduction test. The device measures motor conduction in the lower extremities. It operates at two dedicated frequencies in order to perform a thick myelin sheath cordless fibre (5Hz) and thin myelinated nerve fibre (2000Hz) examination. The device will be calibrated according to the prescribed instructions for use by a skilled technician.