Electrochemical Skin Conductance by Sudoscan in Non-Dialysis Chronic Kidney Disease Patients

Abstract

Background. Peripheral neuropathy is prevalent among patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Sudoscan non-invasively detects polyneuropathy by measuring electrochemical skin conductance (ESC). We conducted a study on sudomotor function in CKD patients across various stages based on their estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). Methods. In this cross-sectional study of 700 CKD patients, all underwent Sudoscan. Pathological ESC was defined as hands p trend p trend p trend p trend < 0.001). Positive hands and feet ESC-eGFR correlation existed irrespective of diabetes. Diabetic patients had lower hands and feet ESC than non-diabetics as CKD progressed. However, multivariate regression found no significant ESC-eGFR association. Sudoscan correlated with clinical neuropathy scores. Conclusion. Pathological sudomotor function was common in non-dialysis CKD stages 4–5. Diabetic patients had worse function. Sudomotor dysfunction progressed with renal disease but eGFR was not an independent risk factor.

Keywords

• chronic kidney disease
• diabetes
• electrochemical skin conductance
• neuropathy
• Sudoscan