Evaluation of incidence of peripheral neuropathy in patients with Diabetes Mellitus Type 2: An observational study

Abstract

Background: Diabetes mellitus is a group of metabolic diseases characterized by chronic hyperglycemia resulting from defects in insulin secretion, insulin action, or both. The present study was undertaken for evaluating the incidence of peripheral neuropathy in patients. Materials & methods: A total of 200 diabetic subjects were enrolled. Neuropathy disability score was used for assessing the prevalence of peripheral neuropathy among diabetic patients. A case record form of each patient was filled which contained the patients detailed diabetes profile including their age, sex, duration of diabetes, their personal habits smoking, dietary habits, medical history and treatment taken. Each patient’s weight and height was measured using a fixed weighing scale (preferably light clothing, without shoes) and stadiometer (distance from top of the head to the feet, without shoes). Neuropathic deficits in the feet were determined using the NDS (neuropathy disability score). Results: 165 (82.5%) has normal NDS while 35 (17.5%) had abnormal. Hence; the incidence of diabetic neuropathy was 17.5 percent. Significantly higher incidence of diabetic neuropathy was seen in patients with longer duration of diabetes. Conclusion: Diabetic peripheral neuropathy is a common and costly disease. Duration of diabetes is considered to be the risk factors for neuropathy.