Comparison of Efficiencies of Neurological Physical Examination, Neurothesiometer and PainDETECT Questionnaire in Diagnosing Diabetic Neuropathy

Abstract

Objective: To compare the efficacies of neurological physical examination, neurothesiometer and PainDETECT questionnaire in diagnosing diabetic neuropathy.

Study Design: Prospective cross-sectional

Place and Duration of Study: Department of General Medicine, Nishtar Hospital Multan, Pakistan from 1^st December 2018 to 10^th March 2019.

Materials and Methods: One hundred and four patients of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes visiting the outdoor department were included in this study. They were assessed by lab results of glycosylated hemoglobin, fasting and random blood sugar levels and neurological physical examination.

Results: The physical examination with Michigan Neuropathy Screening instrument showed that around 29 of the patients were having established neuropathy. The PainDETECT questionnaire on the other hand showed about 42 patients having a definitive neuropathy while the neurothesiometer showed that 79 of the total patients had varying degrees of neuropathy.

Conclusion: The neurothesiometer is a better diagnostic tool for diagnosing diabetic neuropathy in patients.