neuropad® is a categorical non-subjective test
Having a high sensitivity means that when the test is carried out a high proportion of people tested have a positive result subsequently confirmed by hospital-based tests. In clinical studies, this has ranged from 70%-86%. In line with most screening tests, neuropad® has a lower rate of specificity (the proportion of people with a negative result who do not have peripheral autonomic neuropathy) which is typical for a screening test.
The principle behind the neuropad® screening test is that it may detect potential problems several years before conventional tests for peripheral autonomic neuropathy are able to. This is because only when damage to the small and large nerve fibres in your feet has affected your ability to feel sensation – for example when prodded with monofilament or put into direct content with a tuning fork – will problems be detectable. Of course monofilament and tuning fork tests are subjective, whereas neuropad®, on the other hand, is not a subjective test but is categorical.