OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the diagnostic value of vibration perception threshold (VPT) in diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) by the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) and to establish its cut-off threshold. METHODS: All patients had the VPT examination and nerve conduction velocity (NCV) examination. NCV examination showed that 283 patients with Type 2 diabetes were divided into a DPN group (n=151) and an NDPN group (n=132). The VPT diagnosis was evaluated by Youden index, sensitivity, specificity and the area under ROC curve. The best cut-off threshold was defined by the Youden index. RESULTS: 1) The NCV was significantly slower, while the VPT was higher in the DPN group than those in the NDPN group (both P values <0.05). 2) The VPT and NCV of both sides of the limb had no difference in all patients. 3) With NCV as the golden diagnosis criterion, the area under ROC of VPT was 0.707, the best cut-off threshold was 10.54 V, the sensitivity was 0.596, the specificity was 0.848, and the Youden index was 0.445. 4) The diagnosis ratio of NCV combined with VPT was 60.4%, significantly higher than that of NCV alone (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Compared with NCV examination, VPT has good diagnostic value for DPN. The best cut-off value is 10.54 V.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the diagnostic value of vibration perception threshold (VPT) in diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) by the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) and to establish its cut-off threshold. METHODS: All patients had the VPT examination and nerve conduction velocity (NCV) examination. NCV examination showed that 283 patients with Type 2 diabetes were divided into a DPN group (n=151) and an NDPN group (n=132). The VPT diagnosis was evaluated by Youden index, sensitivity, specificity and the area under ROC curve. The best cut-off threshold was defined by the Youden index. RESULTS: 1) The NCV was significantly slower, while the VPT was higher in the DPN group than those in the NDPN group (both P values <0.05). 2) The VPT and NCV of both sides of the limb had no difference in all patients. 3) With NCV as the golden diagnosis criterion, the area under ROC of VPT was 0.707, the best cut-off threshold was 10.54 V, the sensitivity was 0.596, the specificity was 0.848, and the Youden index was 0.445. 4) The diagnosis ratio of NCV combined with VPT was 60.4%, significantly higher than that of NCV alone (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Compared with NCV examination, VPT has good diagnostic value for DPN. The best cut-off value is 10.54 V.