Blood oxygen saturation and its associations with autonomic and peripheral neuropathy in diabetes
Authors' conclusion
Lower blood oxygen saturation was associated with sudomotor dysfunction and impaired vibration perception threshold in type 1 diabetes, and with cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy and neuropathic pain in type 2 diabetes.
Study context
- Population
- Participants with T1D and T2D; SpO2 measured supine by fingertip pulse oximetry
- Participants
- 1,515 participants
- Exposure
- Lower vs higher SpO2
- T1Dn = 753
- T2Dn = 762
- Outcome
- Association of lower SpO2 with markers of diabetic polyneuropathy (DPN) (autonomic tests, sensory measures, nerve conduction, symptom scores)
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Association of SpO2 with DPN markers
- T1D: each 1%-point lower SpO2 associated with higher odds of abnormal sudomotor function in hands and feet and impaired vibration perception, independent of conventional risk factors
- T2D: lower SpO2 associated with cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy and neuropathic pain
- ORs adjusted for relevant covariates
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
SpO2 analysed categorically (<96% vs ≥96%)
- Results largely similar
Original publication
Blood oxygen saturation and its associations with autonomic and peripheral neuropathy in diabetes. Diabetes Metab. Published 23 May 2026. doi:10.
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →