Introduction: Diabetes mellitus is associated with severe microvascular and macrovascular complications with major implications for public health. Diabetic neuropathy is a very problematic complication of diabetes mellitus. It is associated with severe morbidity, mortality, and a huge economic burden. The present study was designed with two aims: 1) to analyze the association of diabetic neuropathy with the glycemic index (levels of fasting blood glucose, random blood glucose, and Hb1Ac) in patients with Type 2 diabetes, and 2) to analyze the association of diabetic neuropathy with time passed since the diagnosis of diabetes.
Methods: This case-control study was undertaken between June 2013 and February 2015 in the Armed Forces Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine (AFIRM), Rawalpindi, Pakistan. Type 2 diabetics with an age range of 30-60 years were recruited from outpatient departments of AFIRM, Rawalpindi. Data were collected and recorded on a form with four sections recording the following: 1) demographics of patients and number of years passed since diagnosis of diabetes; 2) clinical examination for touch, pressure, power, pain, vibration, and ankle reflex; 3) nerve conduction studies for motor components of the common peroneal nerve and tibial nerve and the sensory component of median nerve and sural nerve; 4) glycemic index, including fasting blood glucose levels (BSF), random blood glucose (BSR) levels, and HbA1c levels. Data were analyzed in SPSS v. 20. Chi-square and phi statistics and logistic regression analysis were run to analyze associations between diabetic neuropathy and time passed since diagnosis of diabetes and glycemic index.
Results: In total, 152 patients were recruited. One-half of those patients had neuropathy (76 patients) and the other half (76 patients) had normal nerve function. The mean (standard deviation [SD]) duration of diabetes was nine years (6.76), BSF levels 7.98 mmol/l (2.18), BSR 9.5 mmol/l (3.19), and HbA1c 6.5% (2.18). Logistic regression analysis predicted 87.5% of the model correctly. Duration since the diagnosis of diabetes and HbA1c levels were significantly associated with the diagnosis of neuropathy in diabetics.
Conclusion: The presence of diabetic neuropathy was significantly associated with HbA1c levels and the duration of diabetes.
Keywords: diabetes; diabetes mellitus; diabetic neuropathy; peripheral neuropathy; type 2 diabetes.