Sensation Assessment with Two-Point Discrimination and Graphesthesia in Diabetic Patients

Background: Diabetes mellitus is a polyneuropathic disorder in which there is a gradual deprivation of nerve function in patients with diabetes mellitus. Two-point discrimination is a measurable testing procedure used for the assessment of nerve function and is generally used in patient-contact experience to evaluate tactile acuity in diabetic patients. Graphesthesia is the capability to perceive symbols that are traced on the skin of the participant. Objective: To assess the sensation with two-point discrimination and graphesthesia in diabetic patients. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted from August to November 2022. In this study, 385 diabetic patients aged ranged from 35 to 75 years were included, after fulfilling the inclusion criteria using non-probability convenient sampling. Data was collected from Aamir Hospital and Dr. Ejaz Ali Physiotherapy Services Gujrat. The capability to discriminate the two-point was evaluated in millimeters by using a Vernier caliper. The data was analyzed using SPSS version 24 and for descriptive analysis, mean and standard deviation were calculated for quantitative variables whereas frequency and percentages were used for qualitative variables. The chi-square and non-parametric tests were applied to find the association between variables. Results: The results had been obtained from 385 diabetic patients of which 62.6% were females and 37.4% were males. In a two-point discrimination assessment on both hands, 243(63.1%) participants show the normal frequency (<6mm), 123(31.9%) show fair (6-10mm) and 19(4.94%) showed poor frequency (11-15mm). Graphesthesia assessment was conducted using a list of 10 letters and numbers on both forearms. The correct response on the right forearm is 7.03±2.29 & on the left side is 6.63±2.18. Women scored less than men (p<0.001). Conclusion: The study concludes that females with diabetes have more poor two-point discrimination and graphesthesia sensation as compared to males. The study also concluded that age is associated with sensation. As the old patients have more sensory disturbance as compared to younger ones.