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Foot dorsum thermal quantitative sensory testing thresholds in healthy Vietnamese adults: Reference data
Phan Hoang Phuong Khanh1,2, Pham Dinh San1,3, Phan Hoang Dang Khoa4
1Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam.
Clinical Neurophysiology Practice
|July 19, 2026
Summary
This study provides thermal quantitative sensory testing (QST) reference data for healthy Vietnamese adults. Age significantly impacts thermal thresholds, with LDL-C linked to warm detection, aiding clinical QST interpretation.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Sensory Physiology
- Clinical Neuroscience
Background:
- Quantitative Sensory Testing (QST) is crucial for assessing peripheral nerve function.
- Establishing population-specific reference data is essential for accurate clinical interpretation.
- Thermal QST parameters like Cold Detection Threshold (CDT), Warm Detection Threshold (WDT), and Heat Pain Threshold (HPT) evaluate small fiber neuropathy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish preliminary reference intervals for thermal QST at the foot dorsum in healthy Vietnamese adults.
- To investigate the associations between QST parameters and demographic (age, sex, BMI) and metabolic (LDL-C, triglycerides, HbA1c) variables.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study of 68 healthy Vietnamese adults (23-80 years) screened for diabetes/prediabetes.
- Thermal QST (CDT, WDT, HPT) was performed bilaterally on the foot dorsum using the Q-Sense device and Method of Limits.
- Non-parametric methods estimated reference intervals (2.5th-97.5th percentiles); multivariable linear regression analyzed associations with covariates.
Main Results:
- Age was independently associated with all QST parameters (CDT, WDT, HPT) (p < 0.001).
- Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) showed a significant association with WDT (p = 0.007).
- Body Mass Index (BMI) was associated with CDT in a reduced model but not in the full model; sex was not consistently associated.
Conclusions:
- Preliminary reference data for thermal QST in Vietnamese adults were established.
- Age is the primary determinant of thermal sensory thresholds in this population.
- LDL-C correlates with WDT, suggesting potential links between metabolic factors and small fiber function, warranting further investigation.
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