Tactile threshold detection in leprosy patients with an electronic algometer.
OBJECTIVE
To propose an electronic method for sensitivity evaluation in leprosy and to compare it to the Semmes-Weinstein monofilaments.


METHODS
Thirty patients attending the Dermatology outpatient clinic of HCFMRP-USP were consecutively evaluated by both the electronic aesthesiometer and Semmes-Weinstein monofilaments on hand and foot test points. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was calculated to determine the variability of the electronic measures and the Kappa coefficient was calculated to determine the agreement between methods according to their categories (altered and non-altered tactile sensitivity).


RESULTS
The ICC was approximately 1, demonstrating repeatability. The Kappa coefficient showed more than 75 and 63% agreement on the hand and foot points, respectively. The mean agreement between the 2 methods for the 7 points of the right and left hand was 77.14 and 75.71%, respectively. The mean agreement for all 10 points was 74.33 and 63.66% on the right and left foot, respectively. In cases of disagreement the detection of altered tactile sensitivity by the electronic esthesiometer on the right and left foot was 90.91 and 84.25%, respectively, with no detection by the monofilaments.


CONCLUSIONS
The results suggest that the electronic esthesiometer is a reliable and easy application, capable of evaluating alterations of tactile sensitivity in leprosy patients.
Interunit of Bioengineering (School of Engineering of São Carlos-Institute of Chemistry of São Carlos-Faculty of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto), University of São Paulo (USP), SãoCarlos, SP, Brazil.
Fernanda Guzzo
FG
Gomes
Wilson
W
Marques
Norma Tiraboschi
NT
Foss
Luísiane de Avila
Lde A
Santana
Marco Andrey Cipriani
MA
Frade
D004185:Disability Evaluation; D018450:Disease Progression; D004568:Electrodiagnosis / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D005528:Foot / Q000294:innervation / Q000503:physiopathology; D006225:Hand / Q000294:innervation / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D007918:Leprosy / Q000150:complications*; D009619:Nociceptors / Q000502:physiology; D010146:Pain / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology; D010147:Pain Measurement / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D010525:Peripheral Nerves / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D010812:Physical Stimulation / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D011984:Sensory Receptor Cells / Q000502:physiology; D012684:Sensory Thresholds / Q000502:physiology*; D012867:Skin / Q000294:innervation / Q000503:physiopathology; D020886:Somatosensory Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D014110:Touch / Q000502:physiology*