FREQUENCY OF DIABETIC PERIPHERAL NEUROPATHY IN PATIENTS WITH NEWLY DIAGNOSED TYPE 2 DIABETES MELLITUS.

Abstract

Introduction: Diabetes Mellitus is a globally prevalent non-communicable disease involving hyperglycaemia and altered metabolic control, with high associated morbidities and mortalities. Diabetic neuropathies are commonly occurring complications among diabetic patients, out of which up to 50% may be asymptomatic. Objective: To determine the frequency of diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) among patients newly diagnosed with Diabetes mellitus Type 2 Design: This was a hospital-based, cross sectional descriptive study to determine the frequency of DPN among patients newly diagnosed with Diabetes mellitus Type 2 Place of Study: Department of Medicine (OPD and inpatient), Liaquat University Hospital, Hyderabad/Jamshoro. Duration of Study: Six month period from 01-06-2019 to 01- 12-2019 Methodology: Non-probability consecutive sampling was utilized for sample collection. Inclusion criteria were: Patients of both genders, between age 30 years and 60 years, newly diagnosed with Diabetes Mellitus Type 2. i.e. the fasting serum glucose level above 126 mg/dl along with HbA1c levels above 6.5% was considered as Diabetes mellitus., who were agreeable to take part in the study after informed consent. Exclusion criteria were pregnant women, patients with chronic lumbar pain, neurological findings indicative of myelopathic involvement or relevant radiculopathies, as well as patients with altered consciousness or who were inarticulate and unable to collaborate with neurological evaluation. The collected data was entered in SPSS (for version 20) and analysed accordingly. Results: 150 patients were recruited in this study. There were 60.7% male and 39.3% female patients. The mean age of the patients was 44.8±7.70 years. DPN frequency among patients newly diagnosed with Diabetes mellitus Type 2 was 39.3%. Conclusion: Our figuresemphasized the necessity for rigorous programs aiming at early identification of DPN and patient education in diabetic patients with associated co-mordbities such as altered lipid metabolism, cardiac dysfunction or eye involvement.