Title:Validation of Neuropad in the Assessment of Peripheral Diabetic Neuropathy in Patients with Diabetes Mellitus Versus the Michigan Neuropathy Screening Instrument, 10g Monofilament Application and Biothesiometer Measurement
Volume: 18
Issue: 5
Author(s): Ioanna Zografou, Fotios Iliadis, Christos Sambanis and Triantafyllos Didangelos*
Affiliation:
- Diabetes Center, 1st Propedeutic Department of Internal Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, ''AHEPA'' Hospital, Thessaloniki,Greece
Keywords:
Diabetic peripheral neuropathy, neuropad, sensitivity, specificity, diabetes mellitus, vascular risk.
Abstract:
Objective: Sudomotor dysfunction is a feature of Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy (DPN). The
indicator plaster Neuropad can provide an easy and accurate way to diagnose DPN. The aim of the present
study was to evaluate Neuropad’s specificity, sensitivity and accuracy in detecting DPN in patients
with Diabetes Mellitus (DM).
Methods: A total of 174 patients with DM (79 with type 1 DM, 88 women), mean age 49.8 ± 16.1 years
and mean DM duration 17.3 ± 7.7 years were included in the present study. The following methods
were used to diagnose DPN: the Michigan Neuropathy Screening Instrument Questionnaire and Examination
(MNSIQ and MNSIE, respectively), application of 10 g monofilament (MONO) and measurement
of vibration perception threshold with biothesiometer (BIO). Neuropad was applied to both feet in
all patients and according to the presence or absence of color change of the sticker, patients were divided
in two groups: group A (n = 82, complete change in color from blue to pink, depicting normal
perspiration) and group B (n = 92, incomplete or no change, depicting abnormal perspiration).
Results: MNSIQ and MNSIE were positive for DPN in 111 and 119 patients, respectively. BIO was
abnormal in 109 and MONO in 59 patients. Sensitivity of Neuropad testing was 95% vs. MONO, 73%
vs. BIO, 73% vs. MNSIE and 75% vs. ΜNSIQ. Specificity was 69, 81, 90 and 92%, respectively and
accuracy of the test was 78, 76, 78 and 83%, respectively.
Conclusion: Neuropad has a high sensitivity and specificity in detecting DPN vs. MNSIQ, MNSIE and
BIO. Neuropad has a high sensitivity but moderate specificity vs. MONO. The accuracy of the test was
high in all measurements.
