The slipping slipper sign: a simple test with high specificity and positive predictive value for peripheral neuropathy among diabetic patients
Abstract
This study evaluated the ability of the slipping slipper sign (defined as unknowingly losing a slipper while walking) to identify diabetic neuropathy in Jamaican patients. A single question was used to ascertain the presence of the slipping slipper sign (SSS) among 69 patients attending a diabetes clinic. Nurses assessed pain, vibration and pressure perception among the same patients in order to detect diabetic neuropathy. The sensitivity, specificity and positive predictive value for the SSS were calculated. Eight participants (men=5, women=3) reported positive SSS. The SSS had a sensitivity of 28.6%, specificity of 100% and positive predictive value (PPV) 100% for neuropathy on at least one of the three tests. These findings indicate that the SSS has high specificity and PPV for diabetic neuropathy but the sensitivity is low. The sign may be a useful adjuvant to conventional methods of screening for severe neuropathy
Keywords
slipping slipper sign, diabetic neuropathy, diabetic foot, Jamaica.
Full Text:
PDFDOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4081%2Fcp.2012.e51
Submitted: 2012-02-20 21:07:22
Published: 2012-04-30 18:48:56
Search for citations in Google Scholar
Related articles: Google Scholar
Clinics and Practice [eISSN 2039-7283] is a new Open Access, online-only, peer-reviewed journal published by PAGEPress ®, Pavia, Italy. All credits and honors to PKP for their OJS.