ABSTRACT

Corresponding Author:
Dr. Onkar Nath Rai,
Park Hospital, Hanuman Mandir Road,
Betiahata, Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh.
E-mail: onkarnathrai763@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

The prevalence of neuropathy in the diabetic population has been estimated ranging from 10% to 90%. Generally, the incidence of neuropathy seems to increase with duration of disease. This study was undertaken to find the prevalence of peripheral neuropathy in diabetes mellitus type-2 patients and to study the effect of parameters like age, duration of disease, blood pressure and body mass index in such patients.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

This one year study was conducted among patients of Diabetes Mellitus type-2 of GSVM Medical College, Kanpur. The patients were selected via random sampling and were interviewed using a structured proforma after taking informed consent. Diagnosis of peripheral neuropathy was made on the basis of history, clinical examination, vibration perception with the help of biothesiometer Statistical multi-regression analysis was done.

RESULTS

Majority of patients belonged to 60–74 years (49.01%) age group. Female/Male ratio in our study was 1.08:1. Prevalence of diabetic neuropathy was 60.7%. A significant correlation with age of onset and duration of diabetes was found among individuals having diabetes peripheral neuropathy.

CONCLUSION

Prevalence of diabetic neuropathy in this North Indian study was high (60.7%). A significant correlation with age and duration of disease was found. Early detection and treatment can be useful in preventing the progression of neuropathy among diabetics.

KEYWORDS

Peripheral Neuropathy, Type-2 Diabetes Mellitus.

INTRODUCTION

Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy (DPN) is a well-known microvascular complication of type 2 diabetes mellitus attributed to chronic hyperglycemia and is defined as the presence of peripheral nerve dysfunction in diabetics after exclusion of other causes.^1–4 it can take many forms. They range from the “classic” chronic progressive distal symmetric neuropathies to acute mononeuropathies to pressure palsies most often affecting the median and ulnar nerves. Distal symmetric neuropathy is the most common symptomatic neuropathy associated with diabetes mellitus.

About 60% to 70% of all people with diabetes eventually develop peripheral neuropathy, but not all suffer pain. Yet this nerve damage is not inevitable. People with diabetes can reduce their risk of developing nerve damage by keeping their blood sugar levels as close to normal as possible.⁵

Generally, the incidence of neuropathy seems to increase with duration of disease and severity of hyperglycemia.

Many studies have shown a correlation between DPN and height, age and duration of diabetes worldwide, but studies from North India are scarce. With this background this study was undertaken to find the prevalence of peripheral neuropathy in diabetes mellitus type-2 patients and to study the effect of physical parameters like age, duration of disease, blood pressure, body mass index and waist hip ratio in diabetes with peripheral neuropathy.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

STUDY DESIGN

This one year study was conducted among patients of Diabetes Mellitus type-2 attending O. P. D. emergency and indoor wards of KPSIPGM and L. L. R. and Associated Hospital, GSVM Medical College Kanpur after obtaining permission from Institutional Ethical Committee. The patients were selected via random sampling and the effect of various physical parameters was seen on diabetic peripheral neuropathy. All the individuals were interviewed using a structured proforma after taking informed consent. A detailed clinical history was taken, complaints of the patients like polyuria, polydipsia, polyphagia, tingling sensation, burning sensation, pain in feet were noted. The duration of diabetes and age of onset of diabetes were noted. A thorough clinical examination was done.

In general examination blood pressure, body weight and height was particularly noted. In systematic examination particular attention was paid to central nervous system, especially sensory system in form of touch, pain, temperature, vibration sense and position sense. Diagnosis of peripheral neuropathy was made on the basis of history, clinical examination, vibration perception with the help of biothesiometer.

The diagnosis of diabetes was made on the basis of WHO criteria as given below:

1. A random plasma glucose of >200mg/dL (11.1 mmoI/L), associated with symptoms of hyperglycaemia (polyuria polydipsia, unexplained weight loss).
2. A fasting plasma glucose of >126mg/dL (7.0 mmol/L).
3. A 2-hour glucose of >200mg/dL (11.1 mmol/L) after a 75-g glucose load in the OGTT.

Inclusion Criteria

All the cases having fasting and post prandial glucose level higher than the above mentioned criteria of diagnosis for diabetes mellitus type-2 were included.

Exclusion Criteria

1. All the cases having peripheral neuropathy, which etiology has other than diabetes like other metabolic neuropathy and drug induced peripheral neuropathy and disease in which the sensory system is involved.
2. Creatinine >2mg/dL.
3. Specific neurology diseases (Multiple sclerosis, stroke etc.).
4. Other causes of neuropathy (B₁₂ deficiency, alcoholism etc.).
5. Loss of dorsalis pedis pulses.

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS

Was done with the help of following formulae

P-value estimated from the Correlation Coefficient Table with the help of degree of freedom. (Degree of freedom = n-2)

Multiple regression – correlation was done using peripheral neuropathy as dependent variable and age, duration of disease, blood pressure and body mass index as independent variables.

RESULTS

A total of 102 patients of diabetes mellitus type 2 were enrolled with 53 females and 49 males. Out of 102 patients, 62 were suffering from peripheral neuropathy, i.e. vibratory perception threshold having <20 volts.

The youngest patient was 32 years of age and oldest was aged 80 years. Majority (49.01%) belonged to 60-74 years of age. The female:male ratio 1.08:1. (Table 1).

A significant positive correlation with age and duration of disease among the diabetics with neuropathy was found. (Table 2).

An insignificant correlation with systolic and diastolic blood pressure and body mass index among patients with diabetes mellitus without neuropathy was observed (Table 3).

DISCUSSION

In this study, the prevalence of diabetic peripheral neuropathy was found to be 60.7%. Similar prevalence (60%) was found by Boru UT et al. in 2004 in Turkey.⁶

Lower prevalence (29.2%) has been reported in a recent North Indian study.⁷ This could be attributed to different types of diabetes (e.g. type 1 and type 2 diabetes), sample selection and different diagnostic criteria used. Out of 62 patients of diabetic peripheral neuropathy, 53% (33) were females and 47% (29) were males. Beghi E et al. (1997).⁸ also reported that diabetic polyneuropathy was more common among females in Italy. On the contrary, male preponderance was reported by Adgaonkar et al. (2014).⁹ in their Aurangabad study.

In this study, the majority of the patients belonged to 60-74 years of age group. Flynn MD et al. (1995).¹⁰ found that age related prevalence of diabetic neuropathy peaked at age 40-49 years, which further increased with the increase in age. Maximum incidence was recorded in age group 51 to 60 years (90.9%) in the Aurangabad study.⁹ In our study age of onset was significantly associated with peripheral neuropathy. Similar observations have been reported by Alder AI et al. (1997).¹¹ and Cohen JA et al. (1998).¹²

In this study, duration of disease was significant risk factor for development of diabetic neuropathy. Our finding is supported by Rivillis IS et al. (2000).¹³ Ashok S et al. (2002).¹⁴ and Boru UT et al. (2004).⁶ and Bansal et al.⁷

In this study, the relationship between blood pressure (Both systolic and diastolic) and peripheral neuropathy was found to be statistically insignificant. Our finding is supported by Booya F et al. (2005).¹⁵ and Tamer A et al. (2006).¹⁶ who found no correlation between blood pressure and peripheral neuropathy.

Our result is contradictory to the study done by Varqhese A et al. (2001).¹⁷ which reported significant correlation between diastolic blood pressure and peripheral neuropathy.

In this study we found that body mass index has no correlation with diabetic peripheral neuropathy, but height and body weight are independently associated with diabetic peripheral neuropathy.

Similar finding has been reported by Robinson LR et al. (1992).¹⁸ who found no significant relation between diabetic peripheral neuropathy and body mass index. Tesfaye et al. (1996).¹⁹ reported a positive correlation between height and diabetic peripheral neuropathy. Cohen JA et al. (1998).¹² described body weight as an independent risk factor for diabetic peripheral neuropathy.

CONCLUSION

Prevalence of diabetic neuropathy in this north Indian study was high 60.7%. A significant correlation with age and duration of disease was found. Early detection and treatment can be useful in preventing the progression of neuropathy among diabetics.

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