Detecting early stages of neuropathies can be done quickly and accurately by testing sudomotor function. Sweat gland nerve fibers, which are thin and long, can be damaged at an early stage of diseases like diabetes.

SUDOSCAN® is an FDA-cleared medical device that functions as both a galvanic skin response (GSR) test and a sudomotor function test. GSR involves recording changes in skin surface voltage, which is believed to be caused by the activation of sweat glands, while sudomotor function assesses the function of these sweat glands.

You will need to remove your shoes and socks and stand on the sensor plates for your feet while placing your hands on the hand sensor plates. If standing for 3 minutes is difficult for you, your physician may ask you to sit during the test.

SUDOSCAN® measures sudomotor function on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet using a low voltage of ≤ 4 volts to stimulate the sweat glands. The device measures the chloride ion current that is released from the sweat glands in response to the electrical stimulus.

The test typically lasts for 2 to 3 minutes, during which you may experience mild tingling sensations in your hands and/or feet, or you may not feel anything at all.

SUDOSCAN® provides results in the form of hands and feet conductances, measured in microSiemens (μS), with high conductances indicating normal sweat function and healthy innervation of small C-fibers, while low conductances are associated with peripheral or autonomic neuropathy, according to studies.

Doctors can obtain quick and straightforward insights into the status of small autonomic fibers, which they can use to:

• Confirm whether your symptoms may be due to a neuropathy
• Assess a change in your medical status
• Evaluate why your treatment may or may not be working.

Testing on SUDOSCAN® to evaluate sudomotor function is generally available for anyone unless there is a specific contra-indication.

Abnormal sweating, also known as sudomotor dysfunction, is acknowledged as a symptom of autonomic neuropathy by the American Academy of Neurology (AAN), American Diabetic Association (ADA), and American Academy of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE). Sudomotor tests, including SUDOSCAN, are employed in assessing autonomic and small fiber neuropathies, which are frequent complications of conditions such as diabetes, Parkinson's disease, and amyloidosis.

A study conducted on healthy individuals revealed that there were no notable variances in hand or foot ESC between males and females.

Ethnicity may affect sweat gland function and cause minor variations in hands and feet ESC among different ethnic groups such as African Americans, Asians, and Caucasians. However, a study conducted on healthy individuals did not find significant differences in hand or feet ESC between men and women. Your doctor will analyze your SUDOSCAN® test results based on current research data.

SUDOSCAN® conductances in adults were found to be stable across age groups according to a large database of healthy individuals.

Clinical tests have shown that the SUDOSCAN® test results are not affected by temperature. However, it is advised not to conduct the test when the electrodes are too cold or on a patient who has just entered from an extremely cold environment.

More than 100 subjects were measured before and after high-impact exercise, and the tests showed no significant difference between the two measurements.

Testing children on SUDOSCAN® does not raise any safety concerns, and preliminary data from clinical studies conducted on pediatric age ranges showed promising results. However, SUDOSCAN use is limited to the adult population until the FDA approves its use for pediatric age groups.

Certainly. SUDOSCAN is capable of evaluating peripheral sudomotor function, which can be compromised in numerous medical conditions, including type 1 diabetes.

SUDOSCAN® measures sweat gland function, while HbA1C is used to monitor blood glucose levels over the past 3 months. Hence, there is no direct relationship between HbA1c and SUDOSCAN results, but they can each provide valuable and distinct information regarding your medical condition.

Nerve conduction studies (NCS), or electromyography (EMG), assess the function of large, myelinated nerves, while SUDOSCAN® evaluates the function of small sweat gland nerve fibers. As a result, there is little likelihood of correlation between the two tests since they measure different nerve types.

Before taking the test, it is important to ensure that the palms and soles are clean and free of any lotions, ointments or dirt. The recommended method for cleaning is to use soap and water. It is also crucial to make sure that the hands and feet are completely dry before placing them on the electrodes.

Most medications are unlikely to affect your SUDOSCAN® test results. Nevertheless, it is important to inform your physician of any medications you are taking before the test because certain medications may have an impact on the results. Your doctor will review the medications you are taking and assess any potential interactions before conducting the test.

SUDOSCAN® has passed safety tests and meets the electrical standards for active implantable medical devices. However, it is recommended that patients with pacemakers should only perform the test in the presence of a medical doctor.

You can safely undergo a SUDOSCAN® retest at any time. Your doctor can help determine if another test is needed based on any changes in your treatment or medical condition.