Sensorimotor alterations and associated factors in diabetes mellitus patients

Abstract

Objective: to evaluate sensorimotor alterations in the extremities of the lower limbs and associated factors in Diabetes Mellitus patients. Method: this was a cross-sectional and analytical study, conducted in a Basic Health Unit, in Teresina (Brazil) with a sample of 102 participants between April and July 2018, by means of a semi-structured form. For the statistical analyses, the Pearson’s chi-square and Fisher’s exact tests were performed. Results: among the study participants, 99 (97.1%) presented alterations, 73 (71.6%) on the skin and 40 (39.2%) on nails. The sensorimotor examination identified 40 (39.22%) individuals with tactile sensitivity alterations and 13 (12.7%) with reduced vibratory sensitivity, using the 128 Hz tuning fork. The factors associated with sensorimotor alterations detected by the 10 gram monofilament were the following: time of disease over ten years; absence of periodic foot evaluation (p=0.003); impaired visual acuity (p=0.001); presence of pain or discomfort (p=0.003); pain worsening at night (p=0.008); moderate pain intensity (p=0.012) and relief at rest (p=0.015). Conclusion: sensory alterations in the lower limbs showed their relationship with some of the research variables, such as time of disease, foot evaluation, glycemic value, presence of pain or discomfort (worsening and relief shifts, and intensity), skin coloring and vibratory sensitivity evaluation with a tuning fork.