J Korean Med Sci.  2003 Feb;18(1):103-107. 10.3346/jkms.2003.18.1.103.

Clinical Usefulness of the Two-site Semmes-Weinstein Monofilament Test for Detecting Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy

• Kim YJ
• Kim HH
• Choi SH
• Park YS
• Lee SY
• Cho BM

• KMID: 1099802
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3346/jkms.2003.18.1.103

Abstract

The present study was done to validate the two-site Semmes-Weinstein (SW) monofilament test in identifying patients at risk of lower-extremity complications in clinical setting. The SW monofilament test and nerve conduction study were conducted on type 2 diabetic patients (n=37) at Pusan National University Hospital in Korea. As the duration of diabetes mellitus was longer, neuropathy identified by nerve conduction study and complications of diabetes were more severe (p<0.01). The number of sites unable to perceive SW monofilament (p<0.001) was larger in patients with lower-extremity neuropathy symptoms than those without symptoms. Sensitivity and specificity at two sites (the third and fifth metatarsal head sites) were 93% and 100%, respectively. In conclusion, the two-site SW monofilament test was a sensitive, specific, simple, and inexpensive screening tool for identifying diabetic peripheral neuropathy in clinical setting.

Keyword

Diabetes Mellitus; Diabetic Neuropathies; Diabetic Foot; Diagnosis

MeSH Terms

Aged
Comparative Study
Diabetes Mellitus, Type II/complications*
Diabetic Neuropathies/diagnosis*
Female
Human
Male
Middle Aged
Neural Conduction
Neurologic Examination/instrumentation*
Neurologic Examination/methods
Pressure
Sensation Disorders/diagnosis*
Sensation Disorders/etiology
Sensitivity and Specificity
Touch