Premium
Pedobarographic Statistical Parametric Mapping may identify specific plantar pressure patterns in patients with diabetes mellitus among different degrees of peripheral neuropathy: A pilot study
Author(s) -
Chatrenet Antoine,
Beaune Bruno,
Audebrand JeanMichel,
Torreggiani Massimo,
Piccoli Giorgina Barbara,
Morel Baptiste
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
diabetic medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.474
H-Index - 145
eISSN - 1464-5491
pISSN - 0742-3071
DOI - 10.1111/dme.14572
Subject(s) - medicine , diabetes mellitus , plantar pressure , peripheral neuropathy , statistical significance , forefoot , complication , surgery , pressure sensor , physics , thermodynamics , endocrinology
Abstract Aims Peripheral neuropathy (PN) in patients with diabetes can lead to changes in the distribution of plantar pressure during walking, which can be recorded with pedobarography. Compared to traditional spatial data reduction analysis, the pedobarographic Statistical Parametric Mapping (pSPM) allows comparison of the footprints with the advantage that sub‐regions do not need to be defined a priori . Aim of the study was to test the potential of pSPM in identifying specific distribution of spatial pressure in different stages of PN. Methods PN was defined according to usual tools (i.e., tendon reflexes and sensory tests). Four groups were compared: patients with diabetes without PN (n = 24; 239 steps); with signs of mild PN (n = 12; 117 steps); with signs of severe PN (n = 6; 52 steps) and a control group without diabetes (n = 12; 124 steps). Traditional spatial data reduction and pSPM were performed to compare plantar pressures in the different groups. Results In patients with PN, traditional spatial data reduction analysis showed lower plantar pressures with PN severity. pSPM analysis is able to better define the initial changes: mild PN patients presents higher pressures on the anterior side of the metatarsal heads compared to patients without neuropathy. Patients with severe PN are characterised by higher pressures under the medial foot arch compared to other groups. Conclusions pSPM may identify specific features of plantar pressure distribution during walking in patients with mild PN and may become a useful screening tool for a timely identification of this complication.