IDF21-0106 Peripheral neuropathy and Health Related Quality of Life in adults with diabetes mellitus type 2

Abstract

Background: Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) is the most common long-term complication of diabetes and is the main initiating factor for foot ulceration and lower extremity amputation. Diabetic peripheral neuropathy has significant impact on the quality of life of the patients with diabetes and can result in early death. Aim: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) with and without pain on the Health-related Quality of Life (HRQoL) of individuals with diabetes mellitus type 2 (DMT2). Method: A cross-sectional study of adults with DMT2 was conducted in Plovdiv, Bulgaria. We collected socio-economic, demographic, health status, therapeutic and metabolic control data. EuroQol-5 dimensions questionnaire (EQ-5D) and Visual Analog Scale (VAS) were employed to measure HRQoL. Patients were divided into three groups: group 1 = DPN with pain; group 2 = DPN without pain; group 3 = lack of DPN. Results: The study group included 51 (52.57%) males and 46 (47.43%) females with DMT2. The mean age of subjects was 59.9years (SD = 11.7) and had 8.08 years (SD = 6.7) known duration of diabetes. The prevalence of DPN varied among ethnic subgroups (P = 0.002), being highest among Bulgarian, followed by Roma, Turkish and Armenian subgroups. The prevalence of DPN is 44.25 % among the study group. DPN with pain was 14% among all subjects with diabetic peripheral neuropathy. The mean EQ-5D-3L index score for group 1 was 0.69, in group 2 was 0.73 and in group 3 – 0.82. Patients in group 3 (lack of DPN) report a better QoL than in group 1 and group 2. Discussion: The study findings indicate that patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy with pain have low HRQOL. The burden from DPN appears to be higher with increasing pain severity. Despite its profound impact on QoL, painful diabetic neuropathy remains under-studied.