The accuracy of diagnostic palpation: the comparison of soft tissue findings with random blood sugar in diabetic patients

Abstract

It has been said that certain early osteopathic physicians could estimate random blood sugar by touch. This questionable statement was put to test with a simple protocol. Forty diabetic patients were evaluated for tissue texture change by palpation. The degree of subcutaneous tissue texture change was quantified subjectively and compared with the level of concomitantly obtained random blood sugar. Statistical analysis revealed a Pearson correlation value of 0.210 (p = .097), a Kendal correlation value of 0.215 (p = .042), and a Spearman correlation value of 0.269 (p = .047). These results suggest that palpatory findings of tissue texture change associated with diabetes can be quantified, thus validating a distinctive osteopathic contribution to physical diagnosis.