Clinical Usefulness of the Two-site Semmes-Weinstein Monofilament Test for Detecting Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy.
10.3346/jkms.2003.18.1.103
- Author:
Yun Jin KIM
1
;
Hyeun Ho KIM
;
Sang Han CHOI
;
Yong Soon PARK
;
Sang Yeoup LEE
;
Byeung Man CHO
Author Information
1. Department of Family Medicine, College of Medicine, Pusan National University, Busan, Korea. saylee@pusan.ac.kr, agiabba@orgio.net
- Publication Type:Original Article ; Comparative Study ; Evaluation Studies
- Keywords:
Diabetes Mellitus;
Diabetic Neuropathies;
Diabetic Foot;
Diagnosis
- MeSH:
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
- From:Journal of Korean Medical Science
2003;18(1):103-107
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
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.
