Differences in the level of functional ability between diabetic peripheral neuropathy patients both with and without functional limitations

Main Article Content

Piyanuch Techo
Sugalya Amatachaya
Wanida Donpunha
Thiwabhorn Thaweewannakij

Abstract

Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy (DPN) is an important complication of diabetic mellitus. The primary symptom of DPN disrupts the integration of the somatosensory system contributing to both static and dynamic balance ability. Furthermore, muscles progressively decline in distal to proximal parts of the body. The combination of muscle weakness and balance impairment obviously leads to gait abnormality, then it is directly linked to functional limitations. The study aimed to compare the functional ability, both with and without functional limitations, in type 2-diabetes mellitus (T2DM) with diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN). This study was cross- sectionally collected the data in DPN patients from 25 sub-district health promoting hospital, Nakhon Phanom Province in the Northeastern of Thailand. They were diagnosed as DPN using the Michigan Neuropathy Screening Instrument (MNSI). Then, they were screened for functional limitation using the late-life function and disability instrument (Late-life FDI) questionnaire. The eligible participants were assessed by hand grip dynamometer (HGD), toe grip dynamometer (TGD), five times sit-to-stand test (FTSST), single leg stance test (SLS), timed up and go test (TUG), and 10-meter walk test (10MWT). Sixty-four eligible subjects were divided into two groups: a non- functional limitations group (45 subjects) and a functional limitations group (19 subjects). According to the findings, approximately 30% of the DPN patients were reported with functional limitations. The DPN patients with functional limitations were reported with significantly poorer muscle strength (hand grip and toe grip strength, and leg muscle strength), static and dynamic balance ability, and gait speed than the other group (p-value < 0. 05). The present study suggested the level of functional ability in these individuals could be meaningful for health practitioners in preventing severe complications and disability from functional limitation conditions. 

Article Details

How to Cite
1.
Techo P, Amatachaya S, Donpunha W, Thaweewannakij T. Differences in the level of functional ability between diabetic peripheral neuropathy patients both with and without functional limitations. Arch AHS [Internet]. 2020 Aug. 27 [cited 2024 Mar. 29];32(2):58-69. Available from: https://he01.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/ams/article/view/216031
Section
Original article