Prevalence and management of diabetic neuropathy in secondary care in Qatar.

TitlePrevalence and management of diabetic neuropathy in secondary care in Qatar.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2020
AuthorsPonirakis G, Elhadd T, Chinnaiyan S, Dabbous Z, Siddiqui M, Al-Muhannadi H, Petropoulos IN, Khan A, Ashawesh KAE, Dukhan KMO, Mahfoud ZR, Murgatroyd C, Slevin M, Malik RA
JournalDiabetes Metab Res Rev
Volume36
Issue4
Paginatione3286
Date Published2020 May
ISSN1520-7560
Abstract

AIMS: Diabetic neuropathy (DN) is a "Cinderella" complication, particularly in the Middle East. A high prevalence of undiagnosed DN and those at risk of diabetic foot ulceration (DFU) is a major concern. We have determined the prevalence of DN and its risk factors, DFU, and those at risk of DFU in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in secondary care in Qatar.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Adults with T2DM were randomly selected from the two National Diabetes Centers in Qatar. DN was defined by the presence of neuropathic symptoms and a vibration perception threshold (VPT) ≥ 15 V. Participants with a VPT ≥ 25 V were categorized as high risk for DFU. Painful DN was defined by a DN4 score ≥4. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify predictors of DN.

RESULTS: In 1082 adults with T2DM (age 54 ± 11 years, duration of diabetes 10.0 ± 7.7 years, 60.6% males), the prevalence of DN was 23.0% (95% CI, 20.5%-25.5%) of whom 33.7% (95% CI, 27.9%-39.6%) were at high risk of DFU, and 6.3% had DFU; 82.0% of the patients with DN were previously undiagnosed. The prevalence of DN increased with age and duration of diabetes and was associated with poor glycaemic control (HbA  ≥ 9%) AOR = 2.1 (95% CI, 1.3-3.2), hyperlipidaemia AOR = 2.7 (95% CI, 1.5-5.0), and hypertension AOR = 2.0 (95% CI, 1.2-3.4).

CONCLUSIONS: Despite DN affecting 23% of adults with T2DM, 82% had not been previously diagnosed with one-third at high risk for DFU. This argues for annual screening and identification of patients with DN. Furthermore, we identify hyperglycaemia, hyperlipidaemia, and hypertension as predictors of DN.

DOI10.1002/dmrr.3286
Alternate JournalDiabetes Metab. Res. Rev.
PubMed ID31913560
Grant ListW1230787 / / Pfizer Gulf FZ LLC /
BMRP-5726113101 / / Qatar National Research Fund /
Division: 
Biostatistics
Category: 
Faculty Publication