Clinical Application Of Quantitative Sensory Tests For The Diagnosis Of Diabetic Peripheral Polyneuropathy

【Objective】To investigate vibration perception thresholds (VPT) examination and Semmes-Weinstein monofilament examination (SWME) for diabetic peripheral poly- neuropathy (DPN) screening.【Methods】Biothesiometer, 128Hz graduated tuning fork and SWME were tested among 167 healthy control subjects to define normal values. Test 172 type 2 diabetic patients with these three detections to compare their diagnostic values in diabetic peripheral polyneuropathy.【Results】We established normality data of VPT and SWME in different age groups of healthy control subjects. VPT1 values measured by biothesiometer were significantly correlated with ages in DM and non-DM subjects(P<0.01). Mean VPT1 values were significantly higher in DM subjects than in healthy control subjects(P<0.01). VPT2 values measured by tuning fork had no correlation with ages in DM and non-DM subjects(P>0.05). Mean VPT2 values were significantly lower in DM subjects than in healthy control subjects(P<0.01). SWME values had no correlation with ages in healthy control subjects(P>0.05). Both VPT1 and VPT2 values were significantly correlated with SWME values(P<0.0001). Using biothesiometer could detect more patients with DPN and those at risk for diabetic foot complications than using tuning fork or Semmes-Weinstein monofilaments. 【Conclusion】The biothesiometer reliably and sensitively detected DPN in comparison with. the 128Hz graduated tuning fork and Semmes-Weinstein monofilament. The combined use of VPT detection, SWME and other clinical features is useful and convenient for DPN screening.