The Semmes-Weinstein monofilament examination as a single effective screening tool in diagnosing diabetic peripheral neuropathy when compared to vibration perception threshold

Babitha R; Subathra TA

doi:10.5455/njppp.2020.10.03076202028032020

2026, Vol: 16, Issue: 1

16 / 1Current Issue Online First Archive Aims and Scope Abstracting & Indexing Most Accessed Articles Most Downloaded Articles Most Cited Articles

Required files to be uploaded

NJPPP Manuscript Submission Form
Title Page

« Previous Article

Original Research
Online Published: 11 Apr 2020

Natl J Physiol Pharm Pharmacol. 2020; 10(5): 419-422

doi: 10.5455/njppp.2020.10.03076202028032020

The Semmes-Weinstein monofilament examination as a single effective screening tool in diagnosing diabetic peripheral neuropathy when compared to vibration perception threshold

Babitha R, Subathra Ta.

Cited By:6

Abstract
Background: Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) leads to foot ulcers and non-traumatic amputation, which is a major cause for morbidity and disability in India. At present, no precise pharmacological agent has confirmed efficacy in preventing disease progression or reversing neuropathy symptoms. Clinically, it is crucial to find an effective screening tool for diagnosing DPN. Although vibration perception threshold (VPT) testing and Semmes-Weinstein monofilament examination (SWME) are considered as combined diagnostic tools to diagnose DPN, a single effective screening method to identify DPN is quite unavailable in India.

Aim and Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the usefulness of the SWME in DPN when compared to VPT.

Materials and Methods: Fifty control subjects and 50 DPN subjects aged between 30 and 70 years were included in the study. The anthropometric parameters, fasting blood sugar (FBS), duration of diabetes mellitus, VPT, and the SWME were recorded.

Results: There was a significant difference in body mass index, FBS, VPT, and SWME in DPN subjects (P < 0.0001) when compared with control subjects. The increased duration of DPN increases the VPT (0.805) values and decreases the SWME (−0.488) values. In the kappa test, the measure of agreement between SWME and VPT was significant (0.960), meaning both tests are equally effective in screening DPN subjects.

Conclusion: The present findings show that SWME can be used as a single effective screening tool in diagnosing DPN when compared with VPT. This can reduce the risk of ulceration and lower extremity amputation in DPN subjects at the earliest.

Key words: Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy; Semmes-Weinstein Monofilament Examination; Vibration Perception Threshold

	ARTICLE TOOLS
	Abstract
	PDF Fulltext
	How to cite this article
	Citation Tools
	Related Records
	Articles by Babitha R Articles by Subathra TA
	on Google
	on Google Scholar

How to Cite this Article

Pubmed Style

R B, Ta S. The Semmes-Weinstein monofilament examination as a single effective screening tool in diagnosing diabetic peripheral neuropathy when compared to vibration perception threshold. Natl J Physiol Pharm Pharmacol. 2020; 10(5): 419-422. doi:10.5455/njppp.2020.10.03076202028032020

Web Style

R B, Ta S. The Semmes-Weinstein monofilament examination as a single effective screening tool in diagnosing diabetic peripheral neuropathy when compared to vibration perception threshold. https://www.njppp.com/?mno=94476 [Access: November 02, 2025]. doi:10.5455/njppp.2020.10.03076202028032020

AMA (American Medical Association) Style

R B, Ta S. The Semmes-Weinstein monofilament examination as a single effective screening tool in diagnosing diabetic peripheral neuropathy when compared to vibration perception threshold. Natl J Physiol Pharm Pharmacol. 2020; 10(5): 419-422. doi:10.5455/njppp.2020.10.03076202028032020

Vancouver/ICMJE Style

R B, Ta S. The Semmes-Weinstein monofilament examination as a single effective screening tool in diagnosing diabetic peripheral neuropathy when compared to vibration perception threshold. Natl J Physiol Pharm Pharmacol. (2020), [cited November 02, 2025]; 10(5): 419-422. doi:10.5455/njppp.2020.10.03076202028032020

Harvard Style

R, B. & Ta, . S. (2020) The Semmes-Weinstein monofilament examination as a single effective screening tool in diagnosing diabetic peripheral neuropathy when compared to vibration perception threshold. Natl J Physiol Pharm Pharmacol, 10 (5), 419-422. doi:10.5455/njppp.2020.10.03076202028032020

Turabian Style

R, Babitha, and Subathra Ta. 2020. The Semmes-Weinstein monofilament examination as a single effective screening tool in diagnosing diabetic peripheral neuropathy when compared to vibration perception threshold. National Journal of Physiology, Pharmacy and Pharmacology, 10 (5), 419-422. doi:10.5455/njppp.2020.10.03076202028032020

Chicago Style

R, Babitha, and Subathra Ta. "The Semmes-Weinstein monofilament examination as a single effective screening tool in diagnosing diabetic peripheral neuropathy when compared to vibration perception threshold." National Journal of Physiology, Pharmacy and Pharmacology 10 (2020), 419-422. doi:10.5455/njppp.2020.10.03076202028032020

MLA (The Modern Language Association) Style

R, Babitha, and Subathra Ta. "The Semmes-Weinstein monofilament examination as a single effective screening tool in diagnosing diabetic peripheral neuropathy when compared to vibration perception threshold." National Journal of Physiology, Pharmacy and Pharmacology 10.5 (2020), 419-422. Print. doi:10.5455/njppp.2020.10.03076202028032020

APA (American Psychological Association) Style

R, B. & Ta, . S. (2020) The Semmes-Weinstein monofilament examination as a single effective screening tool in diagnosing diabetic peripheral neuropathy when compared to vibration perception threshold. National Journal of Physiology, Pharmacy and Pharmacology, 10 (5), 419-422. doi:10.5455/njppp.2020.10.03076202028032020

About National Journal of Physiology, Pharmacy and Pharmacology

Contact Information

How to cite this article