[Correlation between plasma concentrations of homocysteine and diabetic polyneuropathy evaluated with the Semmes-Weinstein monofilament test in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus]

Abstract

Background and objective: Few modifiable risk factors are known to be associated with the presence and progression of diabetic polyneuropathy (DPN).

Material and method: We have analyzed in 405 type 2 diabetic (T2DM) subjects (169 women) the association of plasma homocysteine with the presence of DPN measured with the Semmes-Weinstein (SW) monofilament test. A score below 4 was considered an altered SW monofilament test. Plasma homocysteine, vitamin B12 and folic acid were measured using standard procedures (ELISA).

Results: Patients with T2DM with altered SW test have significantly higher age, evolution of disease, HbA1c and lower creatinine clearance values. In addition, plasma homocysteine values were independently and significantly higher in T2DM with DPN measured as altered SW test (13.64 ± 4.93 vs. 12.22 ± 4.48 μmol/l, P<.01) with similar vitamin B12 and folic acid values comparing the 2 groups.

Conclusion: Plasma homocysteine and HbA1c values are the 2 modifiable biological factors associated with the presence of DPN evaluated as an altered SW monofilament test in T2DM subjects.

Keywords: Diabetic polineuropathy; Homocisteína; Homocysteine; Monofilament; Monofilamento; Polineuropatía diabética.