1Dept. of Physiotherapy, Pad. Dr DY Patil University, Nerul, Navi Mumbai,
2School of Physiotherapy, TN Medical College, Mumbai,
3M.G.M. School of Physiotherapy, Kamothe, Navi Mumbai
Online published on 1 October, 2011.
Diabetics neuropathy & associated vascular affection is known to cause high risk of foot ulceration. This comparative pilot study was therefore aimed to explore whether the ratios of distal to proximal sensory threshold [RST] & pain threshold [RPT] respectively can serve as diagnostic tools to identify small fiber diabetic neuropathy & indicators of risk of foot ulceration.
25 subjects [15males & 10 females] within the age of 45 to 60 years were studied as per selection criteria. 25 age & sex matched healthy subjects volunteered as Controls. Plain faradic current stimulus was used to pick up sensory & pain thresholds of sural nerve at ankle [distal] & lateral cutaneous nerve of calf [proximal] & distal to proximal RST & RPT were determined. In addition ABI was also assessed. SPSS-16 soft ware was used to compare RST & RPT & ABI between controls & study group using independent t test.
SPT, RPT & ABI showed significant affection [reversal] in study group [t = 3.97, 8.25 & 9.16 respectively & p<0.000 in all three].
RST & RPT serve as effective tools to identify small fiber diabetic neuropathy & the same with ABI can serve as effective indicators of risk for foot ulceration in diabetic subjects.
