COMPUTER-ASSISTED MEASUREMENT IN DIABETIC-PATIENTS WITH AND WITHOUT FOOT ULCERATION

Computer-assisted measurement of sensibility was done at four anatomic al sites of the foot of patients with diabetes with (19) and without ( 40) foot ulceration. Cutaneous pressure threshold measurements of pati ents with diabetes were compared with measurements on 30 patients with out diabetes who had nonulcerated feet. Both groups had mean one-point static and moving touch, and two-point discrimination thresholds sign ificantly different from the general population. Computer-assisted sen sibility testing demonstrated significantly higher pressure thresholds for one-point static and moving touch and two-point discrimination in the ulcerated compared with the nonulcerated foot of patients with di abetes. This measurement technique is valid for documenting diminished sensation in the foot.