Predicting The Diabetic Foot Ulcer Risk Using Sensory Monofilament Test Among Diabetic Patients At Benha University Hospitals

Reda Shohood, Sarah; Ismail Shrief, Wafaa; Mosaad Ali, Marwa

doi:10.21608/ejhc.2018.47165

Predicting The Diabetic Foot Ulcer Risk Using Sensory Monofilament Test Among Diabetic Patients At Benha University Hospitals

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Clinical Instructor –Faculty of Nursing Damanhour University

² Medical Surgical Department-Faculty of Nursing –Mansora University

³ Medical Surgical Department, Faculty of Nursing-Benha University

10.21608/ejhc.2018.47165

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus continues to grow in global prevalence and to consume health care
resources. One of the key areas of morbidity associated with diabetes is the diabetic foot. Many
cohort prospective studies considered that 5.07/10g Semmes Weinstein Monofilament test is a
significant predictor of loss of protective sensation, peripheral diabetic neuropathy, future ulcer
and likely lower extremity amputation. This study aimed to predict the diabetic foot ulcer risk
using sensory monofilament test. Methods: Quasi-experimental design was conducted at Benha
University Hospitals. Purposive sample of 60 diabetic patients admitted to medical department,
Benha University Hospitals with inclusion criteria: Patients' age ranges from 21-60 years, intact
foot skin, exclusion criteria: Patients with diabetic foot ulcer & anticipatory reaction. Data were
collected using three tools I)"Structured Questionnaire" which includes 2 parts: part I: "Socio
demographic data"& patient`s life style. Part II: Medical data. Tool II) "Neurovascular Foot
Assessment Sheet" which includes 2 parts; part I "Sensory assessment sheet'. Part II: "foot
assessment sheet". Tool III) "foot Ulcer Assessment Sheet" for 2nd and 3rd assessment. Results
loss of protective sensation has increased from one quarter to more than one third after six months
for RT& LT feet using sensory monofilament test, one fifth of sample were high risk group for
diabetic foot, after six months. One sixth of diabetic foot ulcer risk group had foot ulcer.
Conclusion: Semmes Weinstein Monofilament is an evidence based procedure used in
identifying loss of protective sensation, diabetic neuropathy consequently diabetic foot ulcer risk.
Recommendations: Instruct patients to use 5.07/10g nylon Semmes Weinstein Monofilament to
test their feet for neuropathy & recommendations for nurses to use the test in outpatient clinics as
a routine procedure.

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