Can the 128-Hz tuning fork be an alternative to the biothesiometer for diabetic peripheral neuropathy screening? A cross-sectional study in a tertiary hospital in East India.
BMJ Open
; 14(6): e082193, 2024 Jun 11.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-38862223
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
Diabetic neuropathy is frequently underdiagnosed and undertreated. Logistic problems accompany the routine use of the biothesiometer. Hence, we attempted to find a more easily available alternative. RESEARCH DESIGN ANDMETHODS:
149 patients with diabetes visiting the outpatient endocrinology clinic were assessed for vibration sense using a 128-Hz tuning fork (absolute timing method) and a biothesiometer. A reading of >25 V on the biothesiometer (known as vibration perception threshold or VPT) was taken as the diagnostic criterion for severe neuropathy while >15 V was used as an indicator of the mild form. The sensitivity and specificity were calculated by constructing the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC). A p value of <0.05 was considered as statistically significant.RESULTS:
The timed tuning fork (TTF) test showed a statistically significant correlation with the VPT measurements (r=-0.5, p=0.000). Using the VPT findings as a reference, a timed tuning fork cut-off of 4.8 s was 76% sensitive and 77% specific in diagnosing mild neuropathy while absent tuning fork sensation demonstrated 70% sensitivity and 90% specificity in detecting severe neuropathy.CONCLUSIONS:
The tuning fork test demonstrated significant sensitivity and specificity in diagnosing diabetic peripheral neuropathy when compared against the biothesiometer. A cut-off of 4.8 s can be a useful indicator of the early stages of onset of the condition.Palavras-chave
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Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Limiar Sensorial
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Vibração
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Sensibilidade e Especificidade
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Neuropatias Diabéticas
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Centros de Atenção Terciária
Idioma:
En
Ano de publicação:
2024
Tipo de documento:
Article