Aim: This study aimed to investigate the association of different patient factors on the occurrence of diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) among type 2 diabetes mellitus patients.
Methods: A case-control study was conducted on a total sample of 180 Egyptian type 2 diabetic patients. A full medical, medication, social, and family history was collected for the recruited sample. Glycated hemoglobin, lipid profile, and microalbuminuria were assessed.
Results: Among 180 patients recruited, 52 patients suffered from DPN. Low density-lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and total cholesterol (TC) were higher among patients suffering from DPN (p-value = 0.007 and 0.005, respectively). Metformin usage was the only factor that showed a significant decrease in the odds of developing DPN (odds ratio= 0.511, 95% confidence interval= 0.264- 0.911). Subgroup analysis showed that metformin decreased DPN among males rather than females (p-value = 0.006 vs 0.616, respectively).
Conclusion: Serum LDL-C and TC are both determinants for increased risk of DPN among type 2 diabetic patients. Metformin usage decreases DPN in a sex-specific dimorphic fashion where females are less liable to the protective effect of metformin against DPN.