Globally, people with diabetes mellitus have a 25% chance of developing a lower extremity ulcer at some point in their life, while peripheral symmetrical neuropathy is one of the main predisposing factors for the development of a diabetic ulcer.
More than 2,000 foot amputations occur every year in Greece due to gangrene, which causes lesions – ulcers due to diabetes.
With the method of evaluating the ability to recognize different temperatures with a difference of more than 10 °C between them, we have the possibility to diagnose the neuropathy of the foot end, which is caused by these lesions – ulcers, even at an early stage and to proceed with treatment actions to protect these patients from future serious health problems.
a) if the examinee can distinguish the temperature difference between the three temperatures 38.5 °C – 22 °C – 10.5 °C, it means that the specific leg has a satisfactory/high degree of hypoesthesia.
b) if the examinee cannot distinguish the temperature difference between the three temperatures 38.5 °C – 22 °C – 10.5 °C but can distinguish the difference between the two temperatures (38.5 °C – 10.5 °C ) means that the specific leg has a low degree of hypoesthesia, without implying the existence of a serious problem, but the need for treatment is imperative
of the problem to avoid worsening.
c) if the examinee is unable to distinguish the temperature difference between the two temperatures (38.5 °C – 10.5 °C) it means that the leg in question has very low to zero degree of hypoesthesia, implying the existence of a serious problem.
The research on the finalization of the appropriate temperatures through application to people with diabetes was carried out at the Diabetic Foot Clinic of the Diabetes Center of the 1st Pre-Educational Pathology Clinic of the School of Medicine of the University of Athens at the Athens General Hospital “LAIKO”.
The results of the research and the relevant study were announced and posted (P15) at the 19th Panhellenic Diabetes Conference (2-5/06/2021 HILTON hotel).