PDB1 DIABETIC PERIPHERAL NEUROPATHY: EVALUATION OF THE INTER-ASSOCIATION BETWEEN THE RANGES OF NEUROPATHIC SYMPTOMS

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) results in not only pain but a range of debilitating symptoms. The Neuropathy Total Symptom Score 6 (NTSS-6 [self administered]) characterises the frequency and severity of the range DPN symptoms, the purpose of this study being to examine the interassociation between symptoms. METHODS: A postal survey using various instruments including the NTSS-6 was mailed to subjects identified at random from hospital records as having either type-1 or type-2 diabetes using the same methods as the Health Outcomes Data Repository (HODaR). Cross-sectional analysis was used to test for these inter-associations. This is a preliminary analysis of the first 604 returns. The NTSS-6 provides a score of 0 to 3.66 in each of 6 domains. The total score (which can range from 0 to 21.96) is simply summed with zero meaning no neuropathic symptoms. RESULTS: Of the 604 patients, 24% reported no symptoms; the characteristics of those without and with DPN symptoms was: 58 vs. 64 years; males 56% vs. 60%; diabetes duration 16 vs. 13 years; history of cardiovascular disease 31% vs. 50%; number of days in hospital in the last year 3.4 vs. 7.7 days and 4.4 vs. 7.0 ambulatory care attendances in the previous year, respectively. The proportion of patients experiencing symptoms was for Aching, Prickling, Allodynia (sensitivity), Numbness, Burning and Lancinating Pain: 62%, 58%, 46%, 44%, 42% and 39%, respectively. Multiple combinations of symptoms occurred at the following rates: 11% had one symptom type, 12% two, 12% three, 9% four, 12% five and 21% all 6 symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: DPN has a range of debilitating symptoms, although there is a tendency to focus on pain. DPN symptoms occur frequently, in combination and one fifth of respondents reported experiencing all six categories of symptoms.