OPTIMIZATION OF STUDYING SENSORY DISORDERS BY MEDICAL STUDENTS

Abstract. Objective assessment of tactile and pain sensitivity often poses challenges to medical students due to the subjective nature of the patient’s sensations during receptor stimulation. Comparing the patient’s self-assessment of sensitivity disorders with the physician's evaluation during an objective examination could provide a clearer picture of existing sensitivity disorders. To this end, a self-assessment method was proposed. Moreover, the correlation between the results of this method and the objective examination could reduce the time required for patient evaluation. The aim: To investigate the correspondence between the results of the self-assessment of pain and tactile sensitivity by the patient and the objective examination by the physician. Methods and Materials: We have assessed pain and tactile sensitivity in 53 patients (31 males, 22 females) aged 22 to 75 years (mean age 43.5 ± 14.8) with sensitivity disorders impairments associated with central and peripheral nervous system pathology: peripheral neuropathies – 33 (62.26%), multiple sclerosis – 12 (22.64%), consequences of stroke – 5 (9.43%), intramedullary spinal cord tumors – 2 (3.77%), and syringomyelia – 1 (1.89%). Standardized maps with options for sensitivity disturbances in various anatomical regions were used during the study. Patients marked the areas of altered pain and tactile sensitivity, which were compared by the physician with the results of the clinical-neurological examination. Results: The self-assessment methods aligned with the results of the objective examination in 36 patients (67.92%), partially in 10 (18.86%), and did not align in 7 (13.2%). The chi-square test (χ²) showed a statistically significant difference between groups of central and peripheral nervous system injuries regarding the conformity of the self-assessment methodology (χ² = 13.3, p = 0.001). Conclusions: The self-assessment method for pain and tactile sensitivity can be applied in routine practice for patients with peripheral nervous system involvement, unlike patients with central nervous system lesions, who require additional objective examination.