Peripheral Diabetic Neuropathy - characterization of signs and symptoms in the upper limbs and its implications for physiotherapy

• Grant number: 22/14486-1
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: April 01, 2023
• End date: March 31, 2024
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy
• Principal Investigator: Paula Rezende Camargo
• Grantee: Milena Stephanie Bezerra Balbino
• Host Institution: Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde (CCBS). Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCAR). São Carlos , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is an important public health problem due to its high incidence and the condition of persistent hyperglycemic, which is directly associated with several comorbidities. Among DM comorbidities we can highlight the peripheral diabetic neuropathy (PDN), which shows a high manifestation in the lower limbs and is a risk factor for the development of ulcerations on the feet of those with DM. Although some studies have also suggested a manifestation of PDN in the upper limbs, data regarding the occurrence of PDN in this segment and its relation with the manifestation in the lower limbs are scarce. This study aims to characterize and compare the manifestation of PDN in the upper limbs between people with DM who have and have not manifested PDN in the lower limbs. Forty-four people aged between 18 and 65 years old will participate in this cross-sectional study. Group 1 is going to be composed of 22 people with DM and PDN, and group 2 is going to be composed of 22 people with DM, with no diagnosis of PDN. The evaluation of PDN manifestation in the upper limbs is going to be performed by a questionnaire on symptomatology and clinical tests of hand tactile and vibratory sensitivity, handgrip strength test, and the Jebsen Taylor Test. The data normality will be assessed using the Shapiro-Wilk test. For normal data, the parametric Student's t-test for independent groups will be applied to compare the means of the dependent variables. Pearson's or Spearman's correlation test (r) will be used to analyze the association between lower-limb PDN and upper-limb PDN symptoms. The significance level will be set at 5% for all analyses.