Abstract

Objective
To compare the balance parameters, the diabetes mellitus (DM) composite score representing the severity of diabetic polyneuropathy, and the neuropathy impairment score-lower limb (NIS-LL). Method: Thirty patients with DM were studied. Subjects were evaluated with nerve conduction study in upper and lower extremities, DM composite score, and NIS-LL, various balance parameters such as plantar pressure difference of both sides and unipedal standing time. The subjects who could not stand without support by any reasons were excluded. Results: NIS-LL showed strong correlation with DM composite score (r_s=0.683) and unipedal standing time (r_s=0.663) (p＜0.01). NIS-LL also revealed moderate correlation with plantar pressure difference of both sides (r_s=0.512) (p＜0.05). DM composite score showed strong correlation with unipedal standing time (r_s=0.646) (p＜0.01), but revealed no significant correlation with plantar pressure difference of both sides (r_s=0.137) (p＞0.05). Conclusion: NIS-LL was considered to have clinical usefulness in the evaluation of balance problems related to DM. (J Korean Acad Rehab Med 2010; 34: 550-553)

• Keywords: Diabetes mellitus, Neuropathy impairment score, Composite score, Plantar pressure