Computer assisted sensory examination to detect and quantitate sensory deficit in diabetic neuropathy.

In this report we describe computer assisted systems to evaluate cutaneous sensation to detect raised thresholds of cutaneous sensation. Normative data has been obtained so that thresholds are known for face, hand and foot. Results show that thresholds vary with site, age, and sex. Among more than 100 diabetic patients whose vibratory, touch-pressure and thermal cooling thresholds were evaluated a raised threshold was demonstrated in 49%, 37% and 33%, respectively. This provides helpful knowledge for protocol trials of diabetic neuropathy. Because these approaches provide sensitive and reliable evaluation of deficits of cutaneous sensation not possible with rapid and inexpensive approaches, we suggest that they might find a place in neurotoxin surveillance.