Multi-site testing with a point-of-care nerve conduction device can be used in an algorithm to diagnose diabetic sensorimotor polyneuropathy.
OBJECTIVE
We aimed to establish whether multi-nerve testing with a point-of-care nerve conduction device could be used to diagnose diabetic sensorimotor polyneuropathy.


METHODS
A total of 72 consecutive patients with diabetes underwent a full neurological examination and a concurrent evaluation for nine standard electrophysiological parameters using conventional nerve conduction studies (the reference standard) and a point-of-care device.


RESULTS
Spearman coefficients for correlation of point-of-care and conventional parameters ranged between 0.76 and 0.91 (P < 0.001 in all comparisons). Agreement by the method of Bland and Altman was acceptable despite small systematic biases. Fifty subjects (69%) had neuropathy according to conventional criteria. The sensitivity and specificity for the point-of-care device to identify such neuropathy was 88 and 82%, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
A novel point-of-care device has reasonable diagnostic accuracy and thus may represent a sufficiently accurate alternative for detecting the diffuse electrophysiological criteria necessary to make the diagnosis of diabetic sensorimotor polyneuropathy.
Perkins
Bruce A
BA
Division of Endocrinology, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. bruce.perkins@uhn.on.ca
Orszag
Andrej
A
Grewal
Jaspreet
J
Ng
Eduardo
E
Ngo
Mylan
M
Bril
Vera
V
D000465:Algorithms; D003929:Diabetic Neuropathies / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D004594:Electrophysiology / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009431:Neural Conduction / Q000502:physiology*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity