New method for evaluation of cutaneous sensibility in diabetic feet: preliminary report

Authors

  • Marcus Castro Ferreira University of São Paulo; Faculty of Medicine; Hospital das Clínicas; Division of Plastic Surgery
  • Leandro Rodrigues University of São Paulo; Faculty of Medicine; Hospital das Clínicas; Division of Plastic Surgery
  • Klaus Fels University of São Paulo; Faculty of Medicine; Hospital das Clínicas; Division of Plastic Surgery

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1590/S0041-87812004000500011

Keywords:

Diabetic neuropathies, Diabetes mellitus, Diabetic foot

Abstract

Diabetic neuropathy is an important complication of the disease, responsible for ulceration and amputation of the foot. Prevention of these problems is difficult mainly because there is no method to correctly access sensibility on the skin of the foot. The introduction of the Pressure-Specified Sensory Device (PSSD TM) in the last decade made possible the measurement of pressure thresholds sensed by the patient, such as touch, both static and in movement, on a continuous scale. This paper is the first in Brazil to report the use of this device to measure cutaneous sensibility in 3 areas of the foot: the hallux pulp, the calcaneus, and the dorsum, which are territories of the tibial and fibular nerves. METHOD: Non-diabetic patients were measured as controls, and 2 groups of diabetic patients - with and without ulcers - were compared. The PSSD TM was used to test the 3 areas described above. The following were evaluated: 1 PS (1-point static), 1 PD (1-point dynamic), 2 PS (2-points static), 2 PD (2-points dynamic). RESULTS: The diabetic group had poorer sensibility compared to controls and diabetics with ulcers had poorer sensibility when compared to diabetics without ulcers. The differences were statistically significant (P <.001). CONCLUSION: Due to the small number of patients compared, the results should be taken as a preliminary report.

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Published

2004-01-01

Issue

Section

Original Research

How to Cite

New method for evaluation of cutaneous sensibility in diabetic feet: preliminary report . (2004). Revista Do Hospital Das Clínicas, 59(5), 286-290. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0041-87812004000500011