Potassium channel dysfunction and distinct sensory axonal profiles in painful type 2 diabetes.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to characterize sensory axonal changes in patients with non-painful and painful type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) to explore the mechanisms underlying diabetic neuropathic pain in relation to pregabalin treatment.

METHODS

Clinical evaluations, including nerve conduction studies, nerve excitability testing (NET) and visual analogue scale (VAS), were conducted on 200 T2DM, resulting 131 qualifying for inclusion. Cohort stratification utilized VAS scores: 43 had VAS ≥ 4 (painful), and 88 had VAS < 4 (non-painful). The painful cohort was categorized into low pain (4 ≤ VAS < 7) and high pain (VAS ≥ 7). A subgroup receiving pregabalin (15) was assessed to investigate neurophysiological differences.

RESULTS

The painful cohort differed significantly from the non-painful cohort in sensory nerve excitability parameters including stimulus for 50% maximum amplitude, refractoriness, superexcitability, subexcitability, and depolarization thresholds. Higher VAS scores correlated with reduced TEd40(Accom) and TEh(overshoot). Pregabalin-treated patients demonstrated improved stimulus-response slope, S2 accommodation and TEd40(Accom) compared to untreated patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest that diabetic neuropathic pain may be associated with axonal hyperpolarization and accommodative properties with implications to potassium channel dysfunction.

SIGNIFICANCE: These findings elucidate mechanisms of diabetic pain pathophysiology, highlighting the clinical significance of sensory NET and the role of potassium channel modulation in T2DM pain management.