Patients with Diabetic Neuropathy Are at Risk of a Greater Intraoperative Reduction in Core Temperature

Abstract

The current results indicate that diabetic autonomic neuropathy is associated with more severe intraoperative hypothermia. We postulate that diabetic patients become more hypothermic because their peripheral neuropathy delays the onset of thermoregulatory vasoconstriction and reduces its efficacy once triggered. These patients may therefore fail to develop a normal core temperature plateau.