J Korean Acad Rehabil Med.  2002 Dec;26(6):728-733.

Nerve Conduction Study Findings and Risk Category of Diabetic Foot Screening Test

• Kim YT
• Shin HB
• Lee G

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
To assess the correlation between the risk categories of diabetic foot screening test by 5.07 Semmes- Weinstein monofilament and the findings of standard nerve conduction studies of upper and lower extremities. METHOD: We studied 74 patients who were consulted to our department to rule out the diabetic neuropathy. We classified the patients to 4 risk groups by foot screening test using 5.07 Sememes-Weinstein monofilament, and performed the standard nerve conduction studies of upper and lower extremities. The risk categories of foot screening tests were compared to the findings of the nerve conduction studies.
RESULTS
When the risk category becomes higher, there were more delay in latencies (motor and sensory potentials of median and ulnar nerve, sensory potentials of sural and superficial peroneal nerve, median and peroneal F-wave), slower conduction velocities (median, ulnar, peroneal, posterior tibial nerve) and lower amplitudes (motor and sensory potentials of media and ulnar nerve, peroneal and posterior tibial nerve, sural nerve) (p<0.05). Except for the amplitude of ulnar nerve and the latencies of peroneal and ulnar nerve, there were significant differences in the nerve conduction study data between the risk group 3 and the risk group 0 (p<0.05).
CONCLUSION
We confirmed that the risk category of diabetic foot screening test by Semmes-Weinstein monofilament can meaningfully reflect the severity of diabetic neuropathy. We also suggest that it is necessary to pay attention to the nerve conduction study in the patients with history of foot ulcer.

Keyword

Diabetic foot; Screening test; Semmes-Weinstein monofilament; Risk category; Nerve conduction study

MeSH Terms

Diabetic Foot*
Diabetic Neuropathies
Foot
Foot Ulcer
Humans
Lower Extremity
Mass Screening*
Neural Conduction*
Peroneal Nerve
Tibial Nerve
Ulnar Nerve