Background: Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) is a progressive distal-to-proximal degeneration of the peripheral nerves which leads to a variety of neuropathic manifestations. The estimated prevalence of DPN is approximately 50% among type 2 diabetic patients. It accounts for hospitalization more frequently than other complications of diabetes, and also is the most frequent cause of non-traumatic amputation.
Objectives: The current study was performed to assess risk factors of peripheral neuropathy among a sample of Egyptian diabetics.
Patients and Methods: One hundreds type II diabetic patients, diagnosed according to the American Association of Diabetes criteria, were included in the current study. Patients were furtherly categorized based on the presence of DPN into DPN and non-DPN groups.
Results: Patients who fulfilled the eligibility criteria were enrolled in the current study. Of them 46(46%) patients had manifestations of DPN, whereby 54(54%) patients did not have DPN. The mean age of the included patients was 55.74±7.48 and 45.96±7.26 years among patients with DPN and those without DPN, respectively. Patients aged more than 60 years, illiterate people and patients who did not complete secondary school patients with family history of diabetes, patients with longer duration of disease (>10years), hypertensive patients, patients with high levels of triglycerides, and patients with uncontrolled glycaemic status were more susceptible to develop DPN.
Conclusion: The prevalence of DPN is relatively high among Egyptian patients with T2DM. Appropriate screening programs along with adequate treatment should be given for high risk patients in order to improve the quality of life and to reduce the tumbledown complications of DPN.