Usefulness of the Vibration Perception Thresholds Measurement As a Diagnostic Method for Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy: Results from the Rio De Janeiro Type 2 Diabetes Cohort Study

Aims: To investigate the associated factors with the vibration threshold perception (VPT) in patients with type 2 diabetes and to assess whether it is useful for detection of diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN).

Methods: VPTs were measured with Vibration Sensory Analyzer (VSA-3000) in 426 diabetic patients. The diagnosis of DPN was based on Neuropathy Symptom Score and Neuropathy Disability Score (NDS). ROC curve analysis and multiple linear and logistic regressions were performed to investigate the associations between VPT and DPN.

Results: Values of VPT were progressively higher according to NDS stages. Age, height, diabetes duration, and mean cumulative HbA exposure (partial correlation coefficients: 0.34; 0.27; 0.10; and 0.13; respectively) were the variables independently associated with VPT. Area under ROC curve of VPT for detection of DPN was 0.71 (95% CI: 0.66-0.75) and >8.9 μm was its best cut-off value. VPT, age, female sex, height, diabetes duration and mean HbA levels were the independent correlates of the presence of DPN. An increased VPT triplicate the likelihood of having DPN (OR: 3.24; 95% CI: 2.05-5.11).

Conclusions: VPT, measured by an automatic device, shares common correlates with DPN and is strongly associated with its presence. VPT testing may be useful as a screening tool for DPN assessment.