[Possibilities of early diagnosis of autonomic neuropathy in diabetics].

The possibilities of the diagnosis of autonomous neuropathy were investigated by the authors in 71 insulin-treated diabetes mellitus patients with the use of dynamic esophageal scintigraphy and determination of cardiac reflex tests. It has been found that the extent and severity of the lesion can be earlier and more exactly recognized with the help of these two methods. Important information can be obtained by the determination of esophageal transit time about the functional condition of vagal nerves supplying gastrointestinal organs.

[Possibility of early diagnosis of diabetic nephropathies].

The serum and urine level of beta-2-microglobulin was examined by the authors in different stages of nephropathy of 250 patients suffering from diabetes mellitus (I type 178 pts, II type 72 pts). Beta-2-microglobulin values measured in diabetic patients without renal microangiopathy did not show any difference compared with that of the controls. In patients with freshly discovered diabetes mellitus significantly decreased beta-2-microglobulin levels were found, probably due to the increased glomerular filtration rate.