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Corneal Confocal Microscopy to Detect Diabetic Neuropathy in Children

Completed
Conditions
Neuropathy
Type 1 Diabetes
Retinopathy
Interventions
Procedure: Corneal Confocal Microscopy
Procedure: Nerve Conduction Studies
Procedure: Quantitative sensory testing
Procedure: Neuropathy Symptom Score
Procedure: Clinical nerve examination
Registration Number
NCT02321904
Lead Sponsor
University of Calgary
Brief Summary

The overall aim of this study is to confirm the utility of corneal confocal microscopy (CCM) as a new technique to rapidly and non-invasively assess diabetic neuropathy (DN) in children. This study will be divided into two phases: Phase 1 will be a cross-sectional study of children with type 1 diabetes and normal controls, while phase 2 will be a longitudinal assessment of a subgroup of children with type 1 diabetes recruited during Phase 1.

Detailed Description

In phase 1: To compare corneal nerve density (CND), length (CNL), and branching (CBD) by CCM between

1. children with type 1 diabetes for 5 years or more to children without diabetes;

2. children with type 1 diabetes with and without evidence of diabetic neuropathy;

3. to examine the relationship between CND, CNL \& CBD and known risk factors of diabetic neuropathy

In phase 2:

1. to examine for changes in corneal nerve morphology two years after the initial CCM exam.

2. to describe the evolution of diabetic neuropathy based on clinical symptoms, neurological deficits, and other tests of nerve dysfunction.

3. to assess if changes in corneal nerve morphology correlate with changes in nerve conduction velocity and autonomic testing.

4. To examine the risk factors associated with progression of diabetic neuropathy in our pediatric population.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
176
Inclusion Criteria
  • CASES: Children with Type 1 Diabetes 8 to 18 years old followed at the Alberta Children's Hospital Diabetes Clinic with a duration of diabetes of at least 5 years.
  • CONTROLS: Healthy children aged 8 to 18 years.
Exclusion Criteria
  • Patients with known history of corneal abnormality, trauma, or surgery
  • Any other cause of neuropathy
  • Individuals with uncontrolled hypothyroidism
  • Individuals with celiac disease
  • Other serious chronic illnesses besides diabetes
  • Inability to cooperate with testing
  • Families unwilling to provide written informed consent

Study & Design

Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Study Design
Not specified
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Diabetic casesQuantitative sensory testingChildren with Type 1 Diabetes 8 to 18 years old followed at the Alberta Children's Hospital Diabetes Clinic with duration of diabetes for at least 5 years will undergo Corneal Confocal Microscopy, Nerve Conduction Studies, Quantitative sensory testing, Neuropathy Symptom Scoring and Clinical nerve examinations.
Normal controlsCorneal Confocal MicroscopyHealthy children aged 8 to 18 years will undergo Corneal Confocal Microscopy, Nerve Conduction Studies, Quantitative sensory testing, Neuropathy Symptom Scoring and Clinical nerve examinations.
Normal controlsNerve Conduction StudiesHealthy children aged 8 to 18 years will undergo Corneal Confocal Microscopy, Nerve Conduction Studies, Quantitative sensory testing, Neuropathy Symptom Scoring and Clinical nerve examinations.
Normal controlsQuantitative sensory testingHealthy children aged 8 to 18 years will undergo Corneal Confocal Microscopy, Nerve Conduction Studies, Quantitative sensory testing, Neuropathy Symptom Scoring and Clinical nerve examinations.
Diabetic casesCorneal Confocal MicroscopyChildren with Type 1 Diabetes 8 to 18 years old followed at the Alberta Children's Hospital Diabetes Clinic with duration of diabetes for at least 5 years will undergo Corneal Confocal Microscopy, Nerve Conduction Studies, Quantitative sensory testing, Neuropathy Symptom Scoring and Clinical nerve examinations.
Diabetic casesNerve Conduction StudiesChildren with Type 1 Diabetes 8 to 18 years old followed at the Alberta Children's Hospital Diabetes Clinic with duration of diabetes for at least 5 years will undergo Corneal Confocal Microscopy, Nerve Conduction Studies, Quantitative sensory testing, Neuropathy Symptom Scoring and Clinical nerve examinations.
Diabetic casesNeuropathy Symptom ScoreChildren with Type 1 Diabetes 8 to 18 years old followed at the Alberta Children's Hospital Diabetes Clinic with duration of diabetes for at least 5 years will undergo Corneal Confocal Microscopy, Nerve Conduction Studies, Quantitative sensory testing, Neuropathy Symptom Scoring and Clinical nerve examinations.
Normal controlsNeuropathy Symptom ScoreHealthy children aged 8 to 18 years will undergo Corneal Confocal Microscopy, Nerve Conduction Studies, Quantitative sensory testing, Neuropathy Symptom Scoring and Clinical nerve examinations.
Diabetic casesClinical nerve examinationChildren with Type 1 Diabetes 8 to 18 years old followed at the Alberta Children's Hospital Diabetes Clinic with duration of diabetes for at least 5 years will undergo Corneal Confocal Microscopy, Nerve Conduction Studies, Quantitative sensory testing, Neuropathy Symptom Scoring and Clinical nerve examinations.
Normal controlsClinical nerve examinationHealthy children aged 8 to 18 years will undergo Corneal Confocal Microscopy, Nerve Conduction Studies, Quantitative sensory testing, Neuropathy Symptom Scoring and Clinical nerve examinations.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
The utility of corneal confocal microscopy to assess diabetic neuropathy in children.2 years

To confirm the utility of corneal confocal microscopy (CCM) as a new technique to rapidly assess diabetic neuropathy (DN) in children. This non-invasive eye imaging method may be a superior alternative to traditional nerve conduction studies.

This study will be divided into two phases: Phase 1 will be a cross-sectional study of children with Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) and normal controls, while phase 2 will be a longitudinal assessment of a subgroup of T1D children recruited during Phase 1.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Corneal nerve density (CND) by CCMSingle time point

To compare corneal nerve density (CND) between

1. children with T1D for 5 years or more to children without diabetes;

2. children with T1D with and without evidence of DN;

3. to examine the relationship between CND, CNL \& CBD and known risk factors of DN

Corneal nerve length (CNL) by CCM.Single time point

To compare corneal nerve length (CNL), by CCM between

1. children with T1D for 5 years or more to children without diabetes;

2. children with T1D with and without evidence of DN;

3. to examine the relationship between CND, CNL \& CBD and known risk factors of DN

Corneal nerve branching density (CBD) by CCMSingle time point

To compare corneal nerve branching density (CBD) by CCM between

1. children with T1D for 5 years or more to children without diabetes;

2. children with T1D with and without evidence of DN;

3. to examine the relationship between CND, CNL \& CBD and known risk factors of DN

Changes in corneal nerve morphology two years after the initial CCM exam.2 years

In phase 2 : 1) to examine for changes in corneal nerve morphology two years after the initial CCM exam.

2) to describe the evolution of DN in based on clinical symptoms, neurological deficits, and other tests of nerve dysfunction.

3) to assess if changes in corneal nerve morphology correlate with changes in nerve conduction velocity and autonomic testing. 4) To examine the risk factors associated with progression of DN in our pediatric population.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Alberta Children's Hospital

🇨🇦

Calgary, Alberta, Canada

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