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Tag Archive: ETF128

1. ADA releases Standards of Care in Diabetes—2023

   December 17, 2022 3:36 pm Leave a Comment

   The American Diabetes Association just released their 2023 version of it’s Standards of Care in Diabetes. The Retinopathy, Neuropathy, and Foot Care: Standards of Care in Diabetes chapter again reflects the latest evidenced-based guidelines on the treatment of the diabetic foot. Some newer recommendations include topical oxygen therapy for recalcitrant diabetic foot ulcers and alpha lipoic acid for neuropathic pain. Testing patients with diabetes for Loss of Protective Sensation (LOPS) with a 10g monofilament and at least one other neurological screening tool is again advised. One of these approved methods includes vibration testing with the 128 Hz tuning fork or “similar device”. These guidelines are in agreement with our latest ETF research paper, Combined Utility of the Semmes-Weinstein Monofilament and the Timed Vibration Test in the Prediction of Diabetic Foot Ulcers.

   

2. ETF128 selected for vibration testing in Benfotiamine clinical trials

   July 21, 2022 6:18 pm Leave a Comment

   The company was please to learn that the ETF128 will be one of the vibration testing methods utilized in an international clinical trial assessing the effects of benfotiamine on patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN). This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study will compare  benfotiamine 300 mg twice per day to placebo over 12 months. Vibration testing with the ETF will be one of several nerve function tests measuring secondary endpoints. We are looking forward to the outcomes of this well-designed study as benfotiamine is one of the most promising supplements on the horizon for patients with DPN.

3. New Study Finds Younger Patients with Diabetes Experiencing Increased Hospitalization due to Diabetic Foot Ulcers

   January 17, 2021 2:50 pm Leave a Comment

   Hamilton et al. just published an article in Diabetes Care highlighting a disturbing trend previously discussed in this blog. In their comprehensive study spanning 24 years, Hamilton et al. compared the incidence of hospitalization in two temporally-distinct cohorts of patients with diabetes with and without diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs).  They found the overall incidence of DFU hospitalizations was increased over time. Just as concerning, this incidence was increased in younger patients in the more recent group. This mirrors findings by Geiss et al. who demonstrated a resurgence of Lower Extremity Amputations (LEAs) in middle-aged and younger adults with diabetes. Additionally, this trend toward younger patients experiencing DFUs was noted in a pending publication by Dr. O’Brien evaluating the combined value of the Semmes-Weinstein monofilament and the ETF128 in predicting DFUs. Overall, movement toward earlier diabetes diagnosis with its attendant complications appears to be emerging. Some speculation has tied this tendency to behavioral and lifestyle choices made by younger patients, thus highlighting the need for improved patient education and compliance with preventative care recommendations.

4. ETF Proof-of-Concept Study Cited in Two International Practice Guideline Documents

   December 11, 2019 6:26 pm Leave a Comment

   Although the International Federation of Diabetes (IDF) put out these clinical practice guidelines in 2017, we were gratified to see our 2014 ETF Proof-of-Concept study cited on page 19 of the document. We are cited in the section on using a 128 Hz tuning fork to assess diabetic peripheral neuropathy.

   We were equally excited to learn that this same article was cited in a more recent article in the European Journal of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery in July 2019. We were cited in “Global Vascular Guidelines on the Management of Chronic Limb-Threatening Ischemia”.  This clinical practice guideline document cites us on page S31 discussing clinical testing for neuropathy. 

    

5. Timed Vibration Testing aids in the Diagnosis of Distal Sensory Polyneuropathy

   April 28, 2019 8:44 am Leave a Comment

   A new article written by  Prabhakar et al. has demonstrated the utility of timed vibration testing  in diagnosing distal sensory polyneuropathy (DSP) due to a variety of conditions. They utilized a 128 Hz tuning fork and a handheld stopwatch to time how long patients could feel the vibrations at the hallux, medial malleolus and tibial tuberosity. They noted sensitivity of  85% for the test. Additionally, they were able to conclude that patients with vibration sense lasting >8 seconds at the hallux were free of DSP. Coincidentally, this correlates well with the new 7 second cutoff for early neuropathy on the updated ETF.