By Inflame 
Tokyo, Japan – A study published in the Journal of Diabetes Investigation has uncovered a significant link between deteriorating ankle reflexes and declining kidney function in individuals with type 2 diabetes. The findings suggest that simple neurological assessments, like ankle reflex tests, could serve as valuable indicators of kidney health, potentially enhancing diabetic care.
Led by Akifumi Kushiyama from Meiji Pharmaceutical University, researchers conducted a retrospective observational study involving 1,387 patients who underwent ankle reflex tests between 2005 and 2015. Participants were divided into three groups based on their reflex results: normal, decreased, and absent. The primary focus was the risk of a 40% reduction in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), a key measure of kidney function.
Key Findings:
- Ankle Reflex Distribution:
- Normal: 48.9%
- Decreased: 19.5%
- Absent: 31.6%
- Over a median follow-up of 5.6 years, patients with decreased or absent reflexes were significantly more likely to experience eGFR loss.
- Hazard ratios (HR) for eGFR decline after adjusting for risk factors:
- Decreased reflex: HR 1.83
- Absent reflex: HR 2.57
The results demonstrated that as ankle reflex impairment worsened, the risk of kidney function decline increased. This association held even after accounting for confounding factors such as patient history, comorbidities, and medications.
Study Limitations:
The study acknowledged several limitations, including the exclusion of patients without reflex tests, variability in testing methods, and the inability to distinguish between diabetic and non-diabetic nephropathy. Additionally, unknown confounders may have influenced the findings.
Despite these limitations, the research provides strong evidence that ankle reflex deterioration is an independent risk factor for eGFR decline in type 2 diabetes. These findings highlight the importance of incorporating neurological assessments into routine diabetic care to better predict and manage kidney health.