Prevalence, Pattern and Factors Associated with Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy in Benha City, Egypt

Abstract

Background: Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) is the most frequent kind of neuropathy globally. DPN is one of the most prevalent  and serious microvascular consequences of diabetes.

Objective: To assess prevalence of DPN, its pattern, severity and associated risk  factors in Benha City, Egypt.

Patients and methods: This cross-sectional observational study was conducted on 500 diabetic patients  (type 1 and type 2). All patients were subjected to complications of diabetes especially microvascular and macrovascular complications,  diabetic foot and history of previous operations, physical examinations (general, neurological, sensory examination and Toronto clinical  scoring system (TCSS)) and laboratory investigations (CBC, hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), kidney function tests, liver function tests, serum  thyroid-stimulating hormone and lipogram).

Results: Body mass index (BMI), height, duration of diabetes, HbA1c, and thyroid- stimulating hormone (TSH) had a strong positive significant correlation with TCSS score (r=0.338, P< 0.001; r=0.335, P< 0.001; r=0.630, P<  0.001; r=0.806, P< 0.001; r=0.332, P< 0.001 respectively). Low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) level and triglycerides level had no  significant correlation with TCSS score (r= 0.015, P= 0.743; r= 0.074, P= 0.097 respectively).

Conclusions: The primary risk factors include  higher BMI, height, hard working, smoking, poor glycemic management, extended diabetes mellitus (DM), metformin use, chronic kidney  disease (CKD), and an abnormal thyroid profile. After documenting these findings, a greater effort should be made to lower the  frequency and severity of PDN in diabetic patients by education emphasising regular foot care, strict glucose control, and lifestyle  adjustment.