Abstract
Background: Obesity is an important risk factor for polyneuropathy (PN) in subjects with DM. However, PN can be detected in subjects without overt DM but with risk factors for DM such as metabolic syndrome. Therefore, it is worthy to investigate the prevalence of PN in obese subjects and to discover the underlying mechanisms of the association between obesity and PN. Methods: We analyzed the data of 184 subjects who underwent bariatric/metabolic surgery. PN was diagnosed when a Michigan Neuropathy Screening Instrument score was ≥ 2.5. Total body fat mass and percentage were measured by bioimpedance analysis, and visceral fat area (VFA) was quantified by computed tomography. According to DM status, obesity-related parameters were compared between subjects with PN and those without PN. The association between obesity-related parameters and PN was analyzed using logistic regression models. Results: Of 184 subjects (mean age, 39.1 years; mean BMI, 38.6 kg/m2), 39.7% were diagnosed with DM. The prevalence of PN was 9.0% in non-DM group and 21.9% in DM group. In non-DM group, subjects with PN showed higher HOMA-IR, fat mass, and VFA compared with those without PN. HOMA-IR (OR, 1.492; 95% CI, 1.110-2.005), fat mass (OR, 1.087; 95% CI, 1.008-1.171), and VFA (OR 1.013; 95% 1.001-1.024) were significantly associated with PN even after adjustment of known risk factors of PN. In DM group, subjects with PN showed higher body weight, BMI, waist circumference, and VFA compared with those without PN. However, after adjustment of known risk factors of PN, these obesity related parameters were not significantly associated with PN. Conclusion: Fat mass and insulin resistance might be independent risk factors in development of PN for obese subjects without DM. PN evaluation might be necessary in subjects with morbid obesity even before development of overt DM, and we need to investigate whether weight loss intervention can prevent or delay PN in obese subjects. Disclosure K. Kim: None. T. Oh: None. S. Choi: None. H. Jang: None.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
