Microcirculation in the diabetic foot as measured by a multichannel laser Doppler instrument.

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate microvascular perfusion in insulin-dependent diabetic patients at various locations on the foot, and to determine which part of the foot is most sensitive to microangiopathic changes. All the parameters of postocclusive reactive hyperemia calculated from multichannel laser Doppler recordings were also evaluated to find the most valuable measure for diabetes examination.

Material/methods: Our study involved 65 subjects divided into four subgroups: male and female controls, and male and female IDDM patients without overt complications.