New ultrasound and blood test could spot diabetic nerve damage sooner

NCT ID NCT07595887

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First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This study looks at whether a painless ultrasound scan of the sciatic nerve and a blood test for a specific protein can help detect diabetic peripheral neuropathy (nerve damage) earlier than current methods. Researchers will measure nerve size and blood flow in 120 people with type 2 diabetes, grouped by nerve damage severity. The goal is to create a better diagnostic tool for early detection and management.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.

What this could lead to
If successful, this could lead to a simple, non-invasive ultrasound and blood test to catch diabetic nerve damage early, before symptoms worsen.
What could go wrong
This is an early observational study with only 120 participants, so results may not apply to everyone. It aims to find patterns, not test a treatment, so no direct benefit is guaranteed.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

Study facts

What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.

Participants

About 120 people

The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.

Expected to start

May 2026

An estimate. Start dates often move.

Expected to finish

Jul 2026

An estimate. End dates often move.

Lead sponsor

Other sponsor

The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.

Who can take part

This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.

Who is studied

This study will recruit 120 adult male and female patients diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus from the Endocrinology Department of the Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University. All participants will be stratified into groups based on diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) severity assessed by the Toronto Clinical Scoring System (TCSS). Participants will include patients across the full spectrum of DPN severity, ranging from those with no or minimal neuropathy signs to those with severe clinically evident neuropathy. The study does not include a healthy non-diabetic control group. Participants will undergo a single-visit assessment including high-frequency ultrasound of the sciatic nerve and inferior gluteal artery, nerve conduction studies, and blood sample collection for serum biomarker analysis.

Ages

20 to 75 years

Sex

Anyone

Healthy volunteers

Not accepted

This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.

Show the full entry requirements

Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.

Inclusion Criteria: * Patients diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus according to the World Health Organization (WHO) diagnostic criteria; Aged between 20 and 75 years; Willing to provide written informed consent; Ability to comply with all study assessments including ultrasound examination, nerve conduction studies, and blood sampling. Exclusion Criteria: * Peripheral neuropathy caused by non-diabetic conditions, including severe hepatic or renal disease, nutritional deficiencies, connective tissue diseases, or other metabolic or hereditary disorders; Nerve root compression due to cervical spondylosis or lumbar disc herniation; History of chronic alcohol abuse or long-term exposure to toxic substances (e.g., heavy metals) that may cause peripheral nerve damage; History of medication use known to affect peripheral nerve function (e.g., isoniazid, furazolidone)

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

As listed by the trial registrant

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How to take part

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Contacts and locations

Locations

  • Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University

    Taiyuan, Shanxi, 030001, China

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