Ipswich Touch Test (IpTT) to evaluate at-risk feet in RRT patients
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Use of the Ipswich Touch Test (IpTT)to evaluate at-risk feet in patients on renal replacement therapy.
IRAS ID
124846
Contact name
Gerry Rayman
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
The Ipswich Hospital NHS Trust
Research summary
To use the Ipswich Touch Test (IpTT) to evaluate the prevalence of at-risk feet in patients undergoing renal replacement therapy (RRT) under the care of the dialysis team and to compare the outcome with a 10gm Monofilament (MF).
The IpTT is a simple and safe method to screen for neuropathy and the loss of protective pressure sensations. It involves touching six of the ten toes with the index finger, in the advised sequence. The test was initially conceived for use in hospital to screen for at-risk foot disease in patients with diabetes, when clinical devices such as tuning forks, patella hammers and monofilaments were not available at the bedside. The test has shown to have similar operating characteristics as the 10g monofilament when compared with vibration perception threshold (VPT) measured using a neurothesiometer. As a result the Ipswich Touch test is used throughout The Ipswich Hospital to screen all diabetes patients for at-risk feet within 24 hours of admission.
This current research will carry out the Ipswich Touch Test and the Monfilament test on patients undergoing renal replacement therapy (RRT)to detect at-risk feet. Many of this cohort of patients will experience neuropathic symptoms. A total of 150 patients on RRT (haemodialysis and continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis) will be recruited from the dialysis centre at The Ipswich Hospital.
Haemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis patients will be handed an invitation letter and particpant information sheet explaining the tests during one of their routine visits, asking them if they would like to take part. At least 24 hours duration will be given to the participants to read the information sheet and make a decision, the tests will be performed at their next planned routine visit.
REC name
West Midlands - Coventry & Warwickshire Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
13/WM/0267
Date of REC Opinion
27 Jun 2013
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion