Prevalence of peripheral neuropathy among diabetic patients in a tertiary care hospital

Introduction: The burden of diabetes mellitus (DM) is on the rise especially in developing countries like India. Due to its chronic nature DM tends to cause many debilitating complications and diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) is one of them. The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of DPN among patients attending a tertiary care hospital and to identify the determinants associated with it. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in diabetic patients attending a tertiary care hospital in Kancheepuram district of Tamil Nadu from May 2018 till September 2018. A total of 203 diabetic patients were asked to respond to the patient history version of Michigan neuropathy screening Instrument and examinations were conducted after obtaining consent from them. The data were analyzed in terms of descriptive statistics as well as bivariate analysis. Results: The prevalence of DPN using the MNSI history version and MNSI examination were found to be 31% and 24% respectively. The major determinants were found to be age more than 50 years (OR: 0.24, CI: 0.123- 0.467), P<0.00001, HbA1C > 6.5 (OR: 0.467, CI: 1.90 – 0.356, P= 0.05). Conclusions: This study showed that the prevalence of peripheral neuropathy among diabetic patients was 41.5% and the major determinants were age more than 50 years and poor HbA1C control. Early detection through routine screening and regular follow up examinations will reduce the burden of disability among diabetics and improve their quality of life significantly.