A Cross-Sectional Study on the Prevalence of Distal Sensory Neuropathy in Asymptomatic Type 2 Diabetes Patients in a Tertiary Care Centre

Abstract

OBJECTIVETo determine the prevalence of Distal Sensory neuropathy in asymptomatic Type 2 Diabetes mellitus. METHODOLOGYPatients with type 2 diabetes mellitus attending outpatient Department of Government Vellore Medical College Hospital without symptoms of peripheral neuropathy were included in this study. The presence of diabetic neuropathy was diagnosed using Michigan Neuropathy Screening Instrument (MNSI) Score. RESULTSA total of 400 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus were studied of which 216 (54%) were males and 184 (46%) were females. Mean age of males was significantly higher than females (51±9.1 years vs. 44±7.6 years, p<0.05). The mean BMI of females was significantly higher for females than males (28.4±4.2 vs. 25.3±2.9, p<0.05). In our study, 72 patients (18%) had asymptomatic peripheral neuropathy. CONCLUSIONPeripheral neuropathy is common in asymptomatic diabetic patients. All patients with diabetes mellitus needs active screening for peripheral neuropathy to reduce the morbidity associated with it.