Prevalence of peripheral neuropathy and associated pain in patients with diabetes mellitus: Evidence from a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) is the most common and troublesome complication of diabetes mellitus. It affects almost half the population with diabetes and worsens quality of life of the patient. This study was aimed to determine the prevalence of peripheral neuropathy and associated pain in patients with diabetes mellitus. Methods This was a cross-sectional study conducted over a period of six months. Patient's ≥ 18 years with confirmed diagnosis of diabetes mellitus were included in the study. Patients with hypothyroidism, medical illness such as cancer, liver or renal disease, cervical or lumbar spondylosis, pregnant patients with diabetes and patients receiving any treatment that might influence nerve function (e.g., cytotoxic or antiepileptic agents) were excluded from the study. DPN was diagnosed using 10 g monofilament test. The S-LANSS questionnaire was used to assess the associated painful symptoms. Association was calculated using chi-square test. A p-value of ≤0.05 was considered statistically significant. All the statistical analysis was performed using SPSS v22.Result The overall prevalence of DPN was found to be 28.85% from which 88% patients were found to have painful symptoms. A significant association of DPN was observed with the duration of diabetes (p = 0.004), poor glycaemic control (p = 0.03) and other diabetic complications such as nephropathy (p = 0.002). No association of neuropathy was found with retinopathy and hypertension. Duration of diabetes (>15 years), and HbA1c (>9%) was found to be positively associated the painful DPN. Conclusion The current study found a high prevalence of DPN and it was found to be significantly associated with duration of diabetes, poor glycaemic control and nephropathy.

Screening for diabetic peripheral neuropathy at community pharmacies in Slovakia

“…Accordingly, the study shows that pharmacist-led interventions using a simple, reliable, and non-invasive tool ( 16 , 18 , 19 ) can play a valuable role in screening and counseling diabetic patients about DPN and its risk factors. Since DPN affects a varying number of patients with diabetes (from 10% to 90%) ( 20 , 21 ), early diagnosis appears to be the best strategy in the care of the diabetic patient. Timely recognition and appropriate interventions hold promise in slowing down or even reversing the early stage of nerve fiber damage in people with diabetes ( 22 , 23 ).…”

Association of Non-Dipping Blood Pressure Patterns with Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy: A Cross-Sectional Study among a Population with Diabetes in Greece

“…More specifically, the Study of Maastricht [ 30 ] and the systematic review of Ross both et al [ 31 ] did not provide evidence for an association between the components of metabolic syndrome and especially HTN and DPN. Baxi et al also showed no statistically significant association between HTN and DPN [ 32 ]. According to the recent review by Lee et al, there is no indication that the monitoring of HTN prevents the development of DPN [ 33 ].…”

Isolation, characterization, development and evaluation of phytoconstituent based formulation for diabetic neuropathy

“…Globally, more than 40 million people with diabetes live with neuropathy ( Baxi et al, 2020 ). Along with diabetic nephropathy, diabetic cardiomyopathy, and diabetic retinopathy, diabetic neuropathy, is one of the most serious health effects of diabetes.…”