Research article summary (published 25 Mar 2008):

The Neuropad test: a visual indicator test for human diabetic neuropathy.

Full Abstract

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: The commercially available Neuropad test was developed as a simple visual indicator test to evaluate diabetic neuropathy. It uses a colour change to define the integrity of skin sympathetic cholinergic innervation. We compared the results of Neuropad assessment in the foot with established measures of somatic and autonomic neuropathy. METHODS: Fifty-seven diabetic patients underwent Neuropad assessment, quantitative sensory and autonomic function testing, and evaluation of intra-epidermal nerve fibre density in foot skin biopsies. RESULTS: Neuropad responses correlated with the neuropathy disability score (r(s)=0.450, p<0.001), neuropathic symptom score (r(s)=0.288, p=0.03), cold detection threshold (r(s)=0.394, p = 0.003), heat-as-pain perception threshold visual analogue score 0.5 (r(s)=0.279, p=0.043) and deep-breathing heart rate variability (r(s)= -0.525, p<0.001). Intra-epidermal nerve fibre density (fibres/mm) compared with age- and sex-matched control subjects (11.06+/-0.82) was non-significantly reduced (7.37+/-0.93) in diabetic patients with a normal Neuropad response and significantly reduced in patients with a patchy (5.01+/-0.93) or absent (5.02+/-0.77) response (p=0.02). The sensitivity of an abnormal Neuropad response in detecting clinical neuropathy (neuropathy disability score >or=5) was 85% (negative predictive value 71%) and the specificity was 45% (positive predictive value 69%). CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: The Neuropad test may be a simple indicator for screening patients with diabetic neuropathy.

Author information

Author/s: Quattrini, C (C); Jeziorska, M (M); Tavakoli, M (M); Begum, P (P); Boulton, A J M (AJ); Malik, R A (RA);

Affiliation: Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Core Technology Facility, University of Manchester, 46 Grafton Street, Manchester M13 9NT, UK.

Grants: R01 NS46259-01 (Agency:NINDS NIH HHS)

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Journal: Diabetologia (Diabetologia), published in Germany. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2008-Jun; vol 51 (issue 6) : pp 1046-50

Dates: Created 2008/05/01; Completed 2008/08/08;

PMID: 18368386, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 2/18/2009, IMS Date: )

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 - complications; physiopathology Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 - complications; physiopathology Diabetic Neuropathies - physiopathology Humans

Middle Aged Neurologic Examination - instrumentation; methods Reference Values Toes - innervation; physiopathology

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