Author/Editor		Moharić, Metka; Vidmar, Gaj; Burger, Helena
Title		Sensitivity and specificity of von Frey's hairs for the diagnosis of peripheral neuropathy in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus
Type		članek
Source		J Diabetes Complications
Vol. and No.		Letnik 26, št. 4
Publication year		2012
Volume		str. 319-22
Language		eng
Abstract		Objective: The aim was to evaluate von Frey's hairs as a diagnostic tool for peripheral neuropathy in type-2 diabetes patients with symptoms typical for diabetic neuropathy with respect to nerve conduction studies (NCSs) and a combination of clinical examination and NCS. Patients and methods: 65 patients with type-2 diabetes (33 men) with mean age 62.1 (SD 6.5) years, mean diabetes duration 17.5 (SD 9) years and mean symptom duration 5.2 (SD 4.3) years were examined with the set of von Frey's hairs. Diabetic neuropathy was diagnosed trough Neuropathy Disability Score (NDS). NCSs were performed on ulnar, peroneal, tibial and sural nerves. Results: Sensitivity of von Frey's hairs vs. NCS as the gold standard ranged from 37% to 79% and specificity from 65% to 87%. Sensitivity vs. combination of NDS and NCS ranged from 38% to 85% and specificity from 62% to 85%. Conclusions: Von Frey's hairs have moderate sensitivity and specificity for diagnosis of neurophysiological and also clinical neuropathy. Being a fast and easy-to-perform procedure, they could be appropriate as a screening test in clinical practice.
Descriptors		DIABETIC NEUROPATHIES NEURAL CONDUCTION FOOT DISEASES