Development of A Temperature-based E-skin Test for Peripheral Diabetic Neuropathy Mayusef Sukmana(a) Rahmat Bakhtiar(b) Muhammad Aminuddin (c) Sholichin (d) Dwi Nopriyanto (d) Ediyar Miharja (e) Yuliana Rahmah Retnaningrum(f) Iskandar Muda (g)
a) Nursing program, Faculty of Medicine, Mulawarman University, Jalan Krayan Gn. Kelua, Samarinda, Indonesia, mayusef[at]fk.umul.ac.id
b) Departement Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Mulawarman University, Jalan Krayan Gn. Kelua, Samarinda, Indonesia, r.bakhtiar[at]fk.unmul.ac.id
c) Nursing program, Faculty of Medicine, Mulawarman University, Jalan Krayan Gn. Kelua, Samarinda, Indonesia,
d) Nursing program, Faculty of Medicine, Mulawarman University, Jalan Krayan Gn. Kelua, Samarinda, Indonesia,
e) Nursing program, Faculty of Medicine, Mulawarman University, Jalan Krayan Gn. Kelua, Samarinda, Indonesia,
f) Departement Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Mulawarman University, Jalan Krayan Gn. Kelua, Samarinda, Indonesia, yulianakaltim[at]gmail.com
g) Nursing program, Faculty of Medicine, Mulawarman University, Jalan Krayan Gn. Kelua, Samarinda, Indonesia,
Abstract
Background: Peripheral Diabetic Neuropathy (PDN) is a common complication of diabetes with a risk of impaired skin integrity. The main clinical symptom is loss of pain and temperature sensation. Current PDN diagnostic modalities include monofilament, nerve conduction tests, muscle response tests, autonomic tests, sensory vibration tests, and sensory temperature changes. Currently, the temperature sensation test used is the TiP Therm. However, it could not quantitatively measure the temperature felt by PDN patients, while the degree of heat is essential to assess the risks of PDN. Purpose: This study aimed to develop a prototype diagnostic tool to quantitively determine the patient^s temperature threshold. Using thermal stimulation, our portable device could assist screening for the risk of skin integrity damage in PDN patients. Methods: The research was divided into prototype development of E Skin Diabetic Simple Test (E-SDST)) and testing. We designed and formulated the tool components, followed by creating the temperature sensation test tool for the soles. Finally, the device was tested on healthy volunteers. Results: The prototype, consisting of an AC source, temperature controller, temperature sensor, and probe, was calibrated. When tested on 12 healthy volunteers, we found that the average threshold of temperature felt on the soles of the feet was 44 C. Conclusion: This tool provided a quantitative measurement to determine the temperature threshold. Our prototype is portable, user-friendly, easy, and practical. Furthermore, the E-SDST will be tested on larger subjects with PDN to determines the degree of mild, moderate, and severe PDN.
