The Semmes-Weinstein monofilament as a potential predictor of foot ulceration in patients with noninsulin-dependent diabetes.
The objective was to evaluate the Semmes-Weinstein monofilament as a potential predictor of foot ulceration. A case-control study was carried out in a teaching hospital clinic specializing in diabetes and hyperlipidemic disorders. Two groups of patients with noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus were studied: 168 with no history of foot lesions (No-Ulcer group, aged 58.1 +/- 9.7 years, duration 11.5 +/- 7.8 years) and 14 who had at least one foot ulceration during the last year (foot ulcer group, aged 60.8 +/- 7.8 years', duration 17.1 +/- 10.5 years). The authors defined and measured a "monofilament index" using a size 5.07 Semmes-Weinstein monofilament on three locations on each foot and then measured peroneal nerve current perception thresholds using the Neurometer at three frequencies: 5 Hz, 250 Hz, and 2,000 Hz. The monofilament index score was lower in patients in the foot ulcer group than in patients in the No-Ulcer group (1.71 +/- 2.36 vs 5.21 +/- 1.81, P < 0.001). A cutoff point at an index of 5 out of 6 yielded a sensitivity rate of 85.71% and a false-positive rate of 16.07%. The peroneal nerve current perception threshold was higher (P < 0.005) in patients in the foot ulcer group than in patients in the No-Ulcer group for all frequencies (605.8 +/- 414.6 vs 181.5 +/- 272.3 for 5 Hz; 743.2 +/- 361.7 vs 251.6 +/- 283.7 for 250 Hz; 859.4 +/- 220.2 vs 423.3 +/- 252.6 for 2,000 Hz). (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Olmos
P R
PR
Department of Internal Medicine, Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus.
Cataland
S
S
O'Dorisio
T M
TM
Casey
C A
CA
Smead
W L
WL
Simon
S R
SR
D000368:Aged; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000150:complications*; D017719:Diabetic Foot / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010543:Peroneal Nerve / Q000473:pathology*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012307:Risk Factors; D012684:Sensory Thresholds; D012867:Skin / Q000503:physiopathology