Journal of Southern Medical University ›› 2014, Vol. 34 ›› Issue (04): 560-.

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Neuropad test for sudomotor function to predict the risk of diabetic foot ulceration

  

  • Online:2014-04-20 Published:2014-04-20

Abstract: Objective To assess the predictive value of Neuropad test on occurrence of diabetic foot ulceration (DFU) among
type 2 diabetic patients. Methods We divided 725 cases of type 2 diabetic patients into the high-risk and the non-high-risk
groups of DFU based on the results of vibration perception thresholds(VPT) examination, which was widely used as a criteria
for predicting DFU. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was used to compare the effectiveness of Neuropad with
10 g Semmes-Weinstein monofilament (10 g SWMF) testing in predicting the risk of DFU. Results Among 725 patients of type
2 diabetes, 6.1% were at a high risk of DFU. Compared to non-high-risk group, patients in high-risk group had older age,
longer diabetes duration, higher values of complete colour change time (CCC time) of Neuropad and higher abnormal rate of
10 g SWMF (P<0.01). CCC time of Neuropad was shown to be better in predicting the risk of DFU than 10 g SWMF, and the
area under the ROC curve was about 0.8, and the best cut-off value was 22.25 min. Conclusion Neuropad is an effective
means for predicting of the risk of DFU, and can be used to prevent diabetic foot ulceration.