Neuropathic pain is not associated with serum vitamin D but is associated with female gender in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Abstract

ObjectiveNeuropathic pain is a common complication of diabetes mellitus (DM). Patients may complain of several neuropathic symptoms including impaired peripheral sensation, numbness, tingling, burning, and pain. Because these symptoms may cross with symptoms of vitamin D deficiency, we hypothesized that neuropathic pain and vitamin D deficiency may be associated in patients with type 2 DM.Research design and methodsThis is a cross-sectional study that involved 239 participants with type 2 DM. Neuropathic pain was assessed using PainDETECT questionnaire. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D was measured by the electrochemiluminescence immunoassay, fasting blood glucose was measured by the hexokinase method and hemoglobin A1c was measured by the turbidimetric inhibition immunoassay.ResultsThe prevalence of neuropathic pain among type 2 DM participants was 26.8%. Vitamin D deficiency was reported in 67.8% of type 2 DM participants. The neuropathy score for females was significantly higher than that for males (p<0.01). There was no significant difference in serum vitamin D between type 2 DM participants according to their gender and according to their neuropathy status (p>0.05). Ordinal logistic regression analysis has shown that female gender was the only significant predictor of neuropathic pain among type 2 DM participants (p<0.01 with an OR (95% CI) of 2.45 (1.29 to 4.67)).ConclusionsNeuropathic pain was not associated with serum vitamin D but was associated with female gender in type 2 DM. Because our results were not consistent with other studies that used different neuropathy assessment tools, we suggest that further research should be conducted to check the validity of these tools in identifying subjects with neuropathy.

Neuropathic pain in the community: prevalence, impact, and risk factors

“…[2] [43] [80] [99] Obesity can also place joints under strain, and limit physical activity, which are potential explanations for its association with neuropathic pain found in rheumatoid arthritis. [42] Finally, poor health-related QoL also appears to be predictive of neuropathic pain, [3] as well as an outcome (as noted above).…”

Sex differences in the association of prediabetes and type 2 diabetes with microvascular complications and function: The Maastricht Study

“…Some studies reported more severe neuropathy [ 20 , 21 , 23 ] and a higher prevalence of neuropathy in men than in women [ 20 – 25 ]. However, a higher prevalence in women than men has also been reported [ 26 ]; women also more often and more intensely experience neuropathic pain [ 23 , 27 ]. Additionally, some studies reported no sex difference in the prevalence of neuropathy [ 28 – 30 ].…”

Association Between Vitamin D Status and Diabetic Complications in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Cross-Sectional Study in Hunan China

“…However, there is still a small amount of literature reported different results. For example, a cross-sectional study that involved 239 participants with T2DM revealed that neuropathic pain was not associated with serum vitamin D ( 58 ). Besides, a case-control study included 25 T2DM patients with DPN and 25 healthy controls reported that the severe form of neuropathy was more liable for lower vitamin D levels ( 59 ).…”