Neuropathy, Retinopathy, and Glucose-Lowering Treatments

Abstract

This is the seventh of a series of articles based on presentations at the American Diabetes Association (ADA) Scientific Sessions held 5–9 June 2009 in New Orleans, Louisiana. This installment pertains to neuropathy, retinopathy, and a number of innovative potential glucose-lowering therapies. ### Neuropathy Many studies presented at the American Diabetes Association (ADA) Scientific Sessions addressed aspects of neurologic disorders in diabetes. Braza et al. (abstract 569) found that 19% of 76 type 2 diabetic persons receiving metformin for >1 year had vitamin B12 levels <250 ng/ml, and 23% had levels 250–400 ng/ml. (Abstract numbers refer to the Abstracts of the 69th Scientific Sessions of the American Diabetes Association, Diabetes , Vol. 58, Supplement 1, 2009.) Peripheral neuropathy was present in 77 and 23% of these groups, respectively, and was found in 7% of those with normal B12 levels. Deficiency correlated neither with duration of metformin use nor with erythrocyte macrocytosis. Abrao et al. (abstract 121) found that diabetic persons with periodontal disease or edentulism were 8.1-fold more likely to have loss of sensation to the Semmes-Weinstein 10-g monofilament. Ismail and Venkatesan (abstract 28-LB) found that diabetic versus nondiabetic persons had 94% versus 18% prevalence of sensorineural hearing loss, with mild-to-moderate hearing loss in 40% of diabetic persons with A1C <7% but in 56% of those with higher A1C levels, although noting that their findings might be explained by age differences. Bainbridge and Cowie (abstract 957) found that, among 472 diabetic participants in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), hearing impairment occurred 5.6, 5.8, and 2.7 times more often in persons with peripheral neuropathy, with coronary disease, and with A1C ≥7% than in those not having these characteristics. Ryan et al. (abstract 101-LB) reported neuropsychological test results in 393 nondiabetic and 142 diabetic persons from 11 general medical practices, finding …