TABLE 3.
Corneal sensitivity and confocal microscopy parameters in controls and diabetic patients with no, mild and moderate‐to‐severe pain
| Controls n = 38 | No pain n = 43 | Mild pain n = 34 | Moderate‐to‐severe pain n = 41 | ANCOVA | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NCCA (mbar) | 0.6 ± 0.19 | 0.89 ± 0.20 | 0.65 ± 0.24 | 1.63 ± 0.24 b , c | F(2, 113) = 4.2, p = 0.007 |
| CNFD (no./mm2) | 33.56 ± 1.25 | 23.67 ± 1.15 c | 20.85 ± 1.29c | 17.27 ± 1.18 b , c | F(2, 113) = 6.3, p = 0.003 |
| CNBD (no./mm2) | 92.75 ± 5.09 | 56.47 ± 4.56 c | 45.20 ± 5.14 c | 40.60 ± 4.71 c | F(2, 113) = 2.9, p = 0.06 |
| CNFL (mm/mm2) | 27.06 ± 1.13 | 22.47 ± 1.03 c | 20.21 ± 1.17 c | 15.82 ± 1.07 b , c | F(2, 113) = 8.18, p < 0.0001 |
Data are adjusted for age and presented as estimated marginal means ± SEM using ANCOVA (LSD correction). The ANCOVA (LSD correction) test is done between groups of patients.
Abbreviations: CNBD, corneal nerve branch density; CNFD, corneal nerve fibre density; CNFL, corneal nerve fibre length; NCCA, non‐contact corneal aesthesiometer.
a
Significant compared to no pain.
b
Significant difference compared to mild pain.
c
Significant difference compared to controls.