Age-related changes in the tactile pressure sensitivity threshold in the sole of the foot in diabetic patients.
Kazuki Kimura, Yoshiaki Endo
PMID 30034098WHAT IT FOUND
Older diabetic patients had higher tactile pressure sensitivity thresholds in their feet, meaning they needed stronger pressure to feel it.
This age-related decline was stronger than the effect of how long they had had diabetes. Clinicians should test the heel as well as the forefoot.
Key findings
01Tactile pressure sensitivity thresholds at all foot sites increased with age, showing a significant positive partial correlation after adjusting for diabetes duration.
02The heel had a significantly higher tactile pressure sensitivity threshold than the forefoot across all age groups.
03Diabetes duration also correlated positively with sensitivity thresholds, but the correlation with age was stronger.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTsWhat it means for OTs
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What it does not show
The study did not investigate complications of diabetes or modes of transportation, which could influence foot health. Lifestyle factors such as smoking, lower extremity circulation, and specific complications were not included in the analysis. The cross-sectional design cannot establish causality between aging and sensitivity loss, only association. One patient with unknown disease duration was excluded from correlation analysis.
Declared interests
None declared.
The easy way to misread this
Do not assume that diabetes duration is the primary driver of foot sensitivity loss in older patients. The study found that age had a stronger correlation with reduced sensitivity than the length of time the patient had diabetes, suggesting that normal aging processes significantly impact foot sensation in this population.