INTRODUCTION: The high incidence of diabetes mellitus (DM) in the population becomes this pathology subject of much research. One complication of diabetes is peripheral neuropathy characterized by chronic atrophy and axonal degeneration and/or alteration of the Schwann cell. The physiotherapy works in the stimulation of regeneration of the nerve fiber, which reduces the risk of developing diabetic foot. OBJECTIVE: To identify the sensitivity disorders in the lower limbs (LL) in diabetics patients and verify factors that contribute to the development the diabetic foot as glicemic level, glycosylated hemoglobin (GH), time of the diagnostic, blood pressure, anthropometry and life habits. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The diabetics patients were valued in Bauru Diabect Association and submitted the interview, anthropometry, blood pressure, by the Toronto Clinical Scoring System avaliation (TCSS - sensorial test, reflexes e symptoms). RESULTS: The 68 enrolled patients, 61.76% female and 38.23% male, with 62.93 ± 9.64 years-old, showed systolic blood pressure of 132.54 ± 17.95 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure of 80.39 ± 11,35 mmHg; body mass index, 30,34 ± 5,80 kg/m2; glicemic level, 149,20 ± 60,37mg/dL; GH, 7,72 ± 1,4%; time of the diagnostic, one to 34 years; 80,88% had overweight, 72,06%, hypertension; 42,64%, dyslipidemia; 14,7%, kidney; and 17,64%, vascular disorders. According to TCSS, 97.05% showed neuropathy, 95.59% were symmetrical. Regarding the sensitivity altered, 57.35% showed in protect; 60.29%, thermal; 26.47%, tactile; 17.64%, vibratory; 7.35%, painful; and 1.47%, kinectic-postural. In the feet, 72.05% had dry foot skin; 64.70%, fissures; 54.41%, callosity; 44.11%, mycosis; 50% reported pain; 39,7%, numbness; 41,17%, tingling; 27,94%, sensory ataxia. The reflexes were abolished or decreased in 14.71%; 38.23% are localized in Achilles tendon. There was positive correlation between the TCSS with abdominal circumference and blood glucose and glycated hemoglobin with glucose. CONCLUSION: There was great incidence of the symmetrical neuropathy; sensibility alteration with clinical manifestations, symptons, areflexia and hyporeflexia; obesity and hypertension incidences were associated. It is very necessary the physiotherapy accompaniment on the sensitivity valuation to prevent, reduce the symptons and improve the blood circulation in LL.
Diabetic neuropathies; Physical therapy; Evaluation; Sensitivity
