The work is focused on the possibility of early diagnosis of diabetic microangiopathy. The authors used examination of microcirculation by the method of tissue clearance of Na 131I. In a group of 106 patients with diabetes thus the microcirculation of the lower extremities in the subcutaneous layer and the calf muscle was examined. A group of 36 healthy subjects served as control. An altered microcirculation was found in 75% type 1 diabetics and in all type 2 diabetics. In those with an altered microcirculation only in 23% type 1 diabetics and in 17% type 2 diabetics organ manifestations of diabetic microangiopathy (i.e. retinopathy and nephropathy) were lacking. It seems thus that altered Na 131I absorption in the lower extremities is an earlier sign of microangiopathic affection than identifiable organ changes. Examination of tissue clearance of Na 131I thus could reveal in time individuals threatened by this complication of diabetes.

Keywords: Adult; Diabetes Mellitus /physiopathology/; Diabetic Angiopathies /diagnosis/; Female; Humans; Leg /blood supply/; Male; Microcirculation /physiopathology/; Middle Aged; Muscles /blood supply/; Regional Blood Flow; Skin /blood supply/