Peripheral tissue perfusion and associated factors in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus: cross-sectional study

Abstract Background: Early recognition of peripheral tissue perfusion deficits can minimize secondary complications of peripheral arterial disease in individuals with diabetes. Aims: To compare peripheral tissue perfusion of the lower limb between individuals with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) without apparent vascular disease and apparently healthy individuals and to evaluate factors associated with peripheral tissue perfusion. Methods: 62 individuals participated in this study: 31 with T2DM and 31 apparently healthy individuals. In both groups, anthropometric measurements and physical activity levels were evaluated. Peripheral tissue perfusion was analyzed using near-infrared spectroscopy during the arterial occlusion maneuver and the Incremental Shuttle Walking Test. Results: The tissue oxygen saturation (StO2) level during progressive effort was lower in the T2DM group (T2DM, 58.74 [56.27–61.74]; healthy, 62.15 [59.09–66.49]; p = 0.005). There were significant correlations between the StO2 level during progressive effort and physical activity level (p < 0.0001; r = -0.681), total body fat percentage (p = 0.001; r = 0.590), segmental body fat percentage (p < 0.0001; r = 0.616), total skeletal muscle mass (SMM; p < 0.0001; r = -0.628), and segmental SMM (p = 0.001; r = -0.592). Conclusions: There is a change in tissue perfusion of the lower limb in individuals with T2DM and simple measures can help understand tissue microcirculation in this group, allowing clinical conduct to anticipate vascular complications.