International Research Journal of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences


Diabetic peripheral neuropathy and its risk factors : A community based study


1*Uwakwe J.N.

1Odoh G.,

1Edah J.O.

Enamino M.

Chuhwak E.K.

Puepet F.H


Article Number: irjmbs.17.002  |   Pages: 9-13  |   Vol.2 (2), December 2017   |   DOI: https://doi.org/10.15739/irjmbs.17.002

 Received: October 3, 2017  Accepted: November 2, 2017  Published: December 18, 2017

Abstract

Introduction: Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder which has the potential of leading to the development of microvascular complications such as retinopathy, nephropathy and neuropathy. Peripheral sensory neuropathy is common among persons with type 2 diabetes, and manifests as loss of sensory modalities such as touch, joint position and vibration sense. The vibrometer is an electronic device used in clinical diagnosis of peripheral neuropathy as well as in quantifying the extent or severity of the condition.
Aim: to determine the prevalence of peripheral neuropathy among individuals with type 2 diabetes, as well as outline its associated predisposing factors.
Methodology: One hundred (100) adults with type 2 diabetes participated in the study. Relevant history such as age, sex, and duration of diagnosis of diabetes was obtained from each participant. Anthropometric indices – height, weight and waist circumference—were also measured. A vibrometer was used to assess vibration perception threshold (VPT) in both feet of each participant. A VPT of greater than 15 volts in one or both feet was used as diagnosis of peripheral neuropathy. Serum lipids (triglycerides and cholesterol) were also assayed.
Results: Females comprised 68% of the study population. Mean age of study participants was 57.8±11.6 years and mean duration of diagnosis of diabetes was 10.1±6.6 years. Prevalence rate of peripheral neuropathy in study population was 75%. The independent predictors of peripheral neuropathy were age (OR = 4.00; 95% CI 1.46 – 10.77) and duration of diagnosis of diabetes ≥ 10 years (OR = 3.37 95% CI 1.23 – 9.25).
Conclusion: the risk of developing diabetic peripheral neuropathy increases with age and with the length of time an individual has been known to have diabetes mellitus. This information will be helpful in identifying high risk groups during screening programmes for diabetic peripheral neuropathy.

Keywords: neuropathy, vibrometer, diabetes

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