Factors Associated with Changes in Plantar Pressure of People with Peripheral Diabetic Neuropathy

Abstract: Diabetic neuropathy is one of the main complications of Diabetes Mellitus, which can lead to loss of protective sensation, motor, and plantar pressure alteration, generating deformities, abnormal gait and mechanical trauma to the feet.

Objective: to evaluate the distribution of plantar pressure, sensorimotor changes, balance and associated factors to plantar pressure changes in people with peripheral diabetic neuropathy.

Method: Cross-sectional study conducted with individuals registered in the primary public health service of a city in the east of São Paulo - Brazil. The sample was composed by people with Diabetes Mellitus and Peripheral Neuropathy identified by the Michigan Screening Instrument. It were investigated variables such as sensory-motor changes, static and dynamic plantar pressure using baropodometry and balance using the Berg scale. A significance level of 5% was adopted for all tests used.

Results: Of the 200 individuals evaluated, 52.55% had no plantar protective sensitivity, the static evaluation did not demonstrated changes in the peak of plantar pressure, however in the dynamics the mean in the right foot was 6.0 (±2) kgf/cm and 6,7 (±1.62) kgf/cm on the left foot, the center of static pressure on the right foot was lower (10.55 ± 3.82) than on the left foot (11.97 ± 3.90), pointing hyper plantar pressure. The risk of falling was high, ranging from 8 to 56 points, with an average of 40.9 (±10.77).

Conclusion: The absence of protective plantar sensitivity, increased pressure, biomechanical changes lead to loss of balance and are predictive of complications in the feet due to diabetic neuropathy.