Nursing and Health Sciences Journal (NHSJ)
Vol. 6 No. 3 (2026): September 2026

Comparative diagnostic accuracy of clinical screening instruments for diabetic peripheral neuropathy against vibration perception threshold: A study in Indonesia

Nunung Khairun Nissa Oper (Nursing Professional Study Program, Maharani Health College, Malang)
Heri Kristianto (Medical-Surgical Nursing Department, Faculty of Health Sciences, Brawijaya University)
Laily Yuliatun (Maternity Nursing Department, Faculty of Health Sciences, Brawijaya University, Malang)
Rulli Rosandi (Internal Medicine Study Program, Faculty of Medicine, Brawijaya University-RSSA)



Article Info

Publish Date
31 Aug 2026

Abstract

Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) is a major precursor of foot ulceration and amputation; however, validated low-cost screening tools remain limited in Southeast Asian populations. This study evaluated and compared the diagnostic accuracy of the MNSI-A, MNSI-B, DNS, and DNE against biothesiometer-defined DPN in Indonesian adults with type 2 diabetes. A cross-sectional diagnostic accuracy study recruited 140 consecutive patients with type 2 diabetes at Lavalette Hospital in Malang between August and September 2023. Two trained assessors administered the MNSI-A, MNSI-B, DNS, and DNE under double-anonymized conditions. A biothesiometer vibration perception threshold >15 V at the great toe served as the reference standard. Sensitivity, specificity, predictive values, and overall accuracy were calculated with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). DPN was detected in 55 (39.3 %) patients. MNSI-B showed the highest performance, with a sensitivity of 85.4% (95% CI 73.4–92.9), specificity of 97.6% (95% CI 91.4–99.7), positive predictive value of 95.9%, negative predictive value of 91.2%, and overall accuracy of 92.8%. The MNSI-A had a sensitivity of 76.3% (63.3–85.9) and specificity of 90.5% (82.1–95.3). The DNS yielded a sensitivity of 74.5% (61.3–84.5) and specificity of 72.9% (62.4–81.5). DNE showed a sensitivity of 83.6% (71.6–91.4) and specificity of 78.8% (68.6–86.6). The MNSI-B demonstrated excellent accuracy and may serve as a practical, low-cost first-line DPN screening instrument in Indonesian clinical settings. Symptom-based tools should not be used alone and should be integrated with objective physical examinations. These findings support the implementation of structured physical examinations in diabetes foot care programs.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

nhs

Publisher

Subject

Biochemistry, Genetics & Molecular Biology Dentistry Health Professions Medicine & Pharmacology Nursing Public Health

Description

Nursing and Health Sciences Journal (NHSJ) is peer-reviewed and open access international journal which published by KHD Production, to accommodate researchers and health practitioners publishing their scientific articles. NHSJ accepts original papers, review articles, short communications, case ...