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This study was conducted to determine the association between weighted needle pinprick sensory threshold(PPT) and sensory nerve conduction studies. The subjects were 53 healthy controls, 31 diabetic patients without peripheral neuropathic symptoms(DM) and 36 diabetic patients with peripheral neuropathic symptoms(DN). PPT was measured on the index and little fingers, bilaterally, as well as under the lateral malleolus, bilaterally. In electrophysiologic assessment the left and right median, ulnar and sural nerves were studied. Mean PPT in DN, DM and controls was high in turn on each sites tested. Age controlled PPT was significantly different among three groups on right little finger(p<0.05) and left malleolus(p<0.05), but on other sites, not statistically significantly different between DN and DM. The results were as follows: Sensory nerve conduction velocity and amplitude on each nerve tested were statistically significantly different among three groups(p<0.05). Correlation of PPT with sensory nerve conduction velocity and amplitude were statistically significant on each site and ranged from -0.4203(left malleolus) to -0.5649(right index finger) and from -0.3897(left index finger) to -0.6200(right index finger), respectively. When electrophysiological study is not feasible, measurement of PPT may be helpful for the assessment of peripheral sensory neurological function.
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