Abstract
Objectives Hyponatremia is a common complication of diabetes. However, the relationship between serum sodium level and diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) is unknown. This study was aimed at investigating the relationship between low serum sodium level and DPN in Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Methods A retrospective study was performed on 1928 patients with type 2 diabetes between 2010 and 2018. The multivariate test was used to analyze the relationship between the serum sodium level and the nerve conduction function. A restricted cubic spline was used to flexibly model and visualize the relationship between the serum sodium level and DPN, followed by logistic regression with adjustment. Results As the serum sodium level increased, the prevalence of DPN had a reverse J-curve distribution with the serum sodium levels (69.6%, 53.7%, 49.6%, 43.9%, and 49.7%; P = 0.001). Significant differences existed between the serum sodium level and the motor nerve conduction velocity, sensory nerve conduction velocity, part of compound muscle action potential, and sensory nerve action potential of the participants. Compared with hyponatremia, the higher serum sodium level was a relative lower risk factor for DPN after adjusting for several potential confounders (OR = 0.430, 95%CI = 0.220–0.841; OR = 0.386, 95%CI = 0.198–0.755; OR = 0.297, 95%CI = 0.152–0.580; OR = 0.376, 95%CI = 0.190–0.743; all P < 0.05). Compared with low-normal serum sodium groups, the high-normal serum sodium level was also a risk factor for DPN (OR = 0.690, 95%CI = 0.526–0.905, P = 0.007). This relationship was particularly apparent in male participants, those aged <65 years, those with a duration of diabetes of <10 years, and those with a urinary albumin − to − creatinine ratio (UACR) < 30 mg/g. Conclusions Low serum sodium levels were independently associated with DPN, even within the normal range of the serum sodium. We should pay more attention to avoid the low serum sodium level in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Highlights
Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN), one of the most common chronic complications of diabetes, occurs in as many as 50% of patients with diabetes [1]
The patients were divided into three groups based on the diagnostic criteria, including hyponatremia, hypernatremia, and normal serum sodium groups
The present study demonstrated that patients with hyponatremia and those with low-normal serum sodium levels exhibited relatively high rates of DPN detection and relatively low Nerve conduction velocity (NCV) and amplitude
Summary
Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN), one of the most common chronic complications of diabetes, occurs in as many as 50% of patients with diabetes [1]. The most common form of DPN is distal symmetric polyneuropathy. Very few drugs can alter the progression of peripheral neuropathy. Even with frequent visits to medical professionals and use of prescription medications, it turns out that the clinical treatment of DPN is often unsatisfactory. Early diagnosis and prevention are considered to be far more effective than treatment.
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