The sensitivity of clinical diagnostic methods in the diagnosis of diabetic neuropathy.

Full Abstract

This study assessed the sensitivity of various methods for the clinical diagnosis of diabetic peripheral neuropathy. A total of 147 randomly selected patients with diabetes mellitus and 65 age- and sex-matched healthy controls were evaluated by various clinical (the neuropathy symptom score [NSS], the neuropathy disability score [NDS], vibration perception thresholds [VPTs], Tinel's sign and Phalen's sign), laboratory (fasting plasma glucose and glycosylated haemoglobin levels) and electro-physiological (nerve conduction studies, H-reflex and F-wave measurements) methods. In the patient group, 8.2% had an abnormal NSS, 28.5% had a positive Phalen's sign, 32.6% had a positive Tinel's sign, 42.8% had an abnormal VPT and 57.1% had an abnormal NDS. Significant correlations were found between electro-physiologically confirmed neuropathy and the two provocation tests and abnormal VPTs. In conclusion, assessment with a complete neurological examination and standard electrophysiological tests is very important for the diagnosis of diabetic peripheral neuropathy and the prevention of morbidity in patients with or without symptoms.

Author information

Author/s: Onde, M E (ME); Ozge, A (A); Senol, M G (MG); Togrol, E (E); Ozdag, F (F); Saracoglu, M (M); Misirli, H (H);

Affiliation: Department of Endocrinology, GMMA Haydarpasa Training Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey. ondeemin(-atsign-)yahoo.com.tr

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article

Journal: The Journal of international medical research (J Int Med Res), published in England. (Language: eng)

Reference: -2008 Jan-Feb; vol 36 (issue 1) : pp 63-70

Dates: Created 2008/01/30; Completed 2008/04/15;

PMID: 18230269, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 2/18/2009, IMS Date: )

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