A comparitive study to assess the efficacy of semmes weinstein monofilament and tunning fork in peripheral neuropathy screening among diabetic patients, attending diabetic outpatient department at selected hospital, Pudhucherry

Background: The burden of diabetes is high and increasing globally, and in developing countries like India, mainly fueled by the increasing prevalence of overweight/obesity and unhealthy lifestyles. Major complications of chronic diabetes mellitus were Lower extremity disease, including peripheral neuropathy, foot ulceration, peripheral artery disease, or lower extremity amputation was twice as common in diabetic person when compared with non diabetic patients. Screening and early identification of neuropathy offers a crucial opportunity for the patient. For these many diagnostic tools were available, particularly screening by Semmes- Weinstein Monofilament and tuning fork were cheaper and easier to detect diabetic peripheral Neuropathy. Objectives: 1) To compare the Semmes Weinstein monofilament and tuning fork among chronic diabetic mellitus patients. 2) To find out the association of Semmes Weinstein monofilament and tuning fork among chronic diabetic mellitus patients with selected socio demographic variables. Methodology: A Comparative study was conducted to assess effectiveness of Semmes–Weinstein monofilament and tuning fork for peripheral neuropathy screening at selected outpatient department, Puducherry. A Convenient sampling technique was adapted by the examiners and 40 samples with chronic diabetes mellitus patient were selected. A structured questionnaire was used to collect the data. The risk was identified by modified American diabetic association risk category scoring to rule out the diabetic peripheral neuropathy. The content validity was done by experts in nursing and research. The collected data was analyzed by descriptive statistics (frequency, percentage, mean and standard deviation) and inferential statistics (chi square). Results: The study is to correlate the effectiveness of Semmes-Weinstein Monofilament and tuning fork for diabetic peripheral neuropathy screening at selected outpatient department, Puducherry. The results of this study concluded that there is a highly significant correlation between the Semmes -Weinstein Monofilament and tuning fork for diabetic peripheral neuropathy screening. Conclusion: Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy is a complication of chronic diabetes mellitus that can lead to problems throughout the extremities. If a person with chronic diabetes mellitus, can develop nerve problems at any time.. Neuropathy can affect nerves that control movement, sensation and other functions. To prevent these complications, screening and early identification is an essential component. Hence Monofilament and tuning fork testing is an inexpensive, easy-to-use, and portable for assessing the loss of protective sensation, and it is recommended by several practice guidelines to detect peripheral neuropathy.