Neuropathy Symptom Score Research Articles

Lower‐limb risk factors for falls in people with diabetes mellitus

Older people with diabetes mellitus (DM) may be at high risk of falling because of general risk factors for falls as well as disease-specific factors. To determine the prevalence of falls and to investigate lower-limb factors for falls in older people with DM. Methods Sixty patients with DM over 55 years of age were recruited. 'Fallers' were those who self-reported at least one fall in the previous year. In addition to diabetes status and demographic information, the following were assessed: neuropathy symptom score (NSS), neuropathy disability score (NDS), foot deformity score (FDS), Tinetti performance-oriented assessment of mobility (POMA), ankle muscle strength and gait parameters. Data from 'fallers' and 'non-fallers' were compared and logistic regression analysis performed to identify variables predictive of falls. Thirty-five per cent (n = 21) of participants had fallen in the preceding year. Compared with 'non-fallers', there was a greater incidence of peripheral neuropathy among 'fallers' (86% of 'fallers' and 56% of 'non-fallers'), higher vibration perception threshold (P = 0.04), slower gait velocity (P < 0.001), lower muscle strength for dorsiflexion, plantarflexion, inversion and eversion (all P < 0.001) and higher incidence of bony prominences and prominent metatarsal heads (both P < 0.001). There was a strong and significant correlation between dorsiflexion muscle strength and gait velocity. Logistic regression analysis determined that walking velocity, strength of ankle dorsiflexors and NSS accurately predicted 75% of 'fallers'. Simple clinical measures of gait velocity and ankle muscle strength may be used to identify people with DM at risk of falling, allowing preventative strategies to be implemented.

There is No Association between Cardiovascular Autonomic Dysfunction and Peripheral Neuropathy in Chronic Hemodialysis Patients

Background and PurposeThe potential association between the severity of autonomic dysfunction and peripheral neuropathy has not been extensively investigated, with the few studies yielding inconsistent results. We evaluated the relationship between autonomic dysfunction and peripheral neuropathy in chronic hemodialysis patients in a cross-sectional study.MethodsCardiovascular autonomic function was assessed in 42 consecutive patients with chronic renal failure treated by hemodialysis, using a standardized battery of 5 cardiovascular reflex tests. Symptoms of autonomic dysfunction and of peripheral neuropathy were evaluated using the Autonomic Neuropathy Symptom Score (ANSS) and the Neuropathy Symptoms Score. Neurological deficits were assessed using the Neuropathy Disability Score. Conduction velocities along the sensory and motor fibers of the sural and peroneal nerves were measured. Thermal thresholds were documented using a standardized psychophysical technique.ResultsParasympathetic and sympathetic dysfunction was prevalent in 50% and 28% of cases, respectively. Peripheral neuropathy was identified in 25 cases (60%). The prevalence of peripheral neuropathy did not differ between patients with impaired (55%) and normal (75%) autonomic function (p=0.297; Fisher's exact test). The electrophysiological parameters for peripheral nerve function, neuropathic symptoms, abnormal thermal thresholds, age, gender, and duration of dialysis did not differ significantly between patients with and without autonomic dysfunction. Patients with autonomic dysfunction were more likely to have an abnormal ANSS (p=0.048). The severity of autonomic dysfunction on electrophysiological testing was positively correlated with ANSS (r=0.213, p=0.036).ConclusionsThe present data indicate that although cardiovascular autonomic dysfunction is prevalent among patients with chronic renal failure, it is not associated with the incidence of peripheral neuropathy.

Risk factors and prevalence of diabetic peripheral neuropathy: A study of type 2 diabetic outpatients in Bangladesh

Aims/Hypothesis:The purpose of the study is to estimate the prevalence and risk factors for diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) in type 2 diabetic outpatients at the BIRDEM hospital, Bangladesh.Materials and Methods:Type 2 diabetic outpatients, diagnosed 5-11 years prior to the investigation were randomly selected for the study. DPN was assessed using the Neuropathy Symptom Score (NSS) and Neuropathy Disability Score (NDS). Data about demographics, blood pressure, height, weight, waist and hip circumference, and random blood and urine samples were collected.Results:Two hundred and ninety four (139 men, 155 women) type 2 diabetic outpatients were studied. The overall DPN prevalence was 19.7 %; male (20.9%), female (18.7 %). The prevalence increased with age (from 11.1% in the 23-40 year-old group to 32.3% in the 60-80 year-old group) and duration of diabetes (from 14.1% in patients with five years to 29.2% in patients with 9-11 years duration). Age > 60 years (OR 4.2, 95% CI 1.4-12.3), low/normal WHR (OR 3.8, 95% CI 1.6-9.3), income < 800 TK (OR 3.1, 95% CI 1.1-9.3) and insulin treatment (OR 2.0, 95% CI 1.0-4.0) were independent, significant risk factors. Longer duration of diabetes (OR1.2 95% CI 1.0-1.4), and higher HbA1c (OR1.1, 95% CI 1.0-1.3) were marginally independent, significant risk factors for DPN.Conclusions/Interpretations:We observed a DPN prevalence of 19.7%. Higher age, low socioeconomic status, treatment with insulin, longer duration of diabetes and poor glycemic control were risk factors for DPN.

A Comparative study of examination scores and quantitative sensory testing in diagnosis of diabetic polyneuropathy

Context:Many advances have taken place in the detection of diabetic polyneuropathy with respect to examination scores, electrophysiological techniques and quantitative sensory testing.Aim:This study aims to evaluate the discriminative power of the Diabetic Neuropathy Examination Score (DNE), 10-g Semmes-Weinstein Monofilament Examination (SWME) and Quantitative Sensory Testing by Vibration Perception Threshold (VPT) in the diagnosis of diabetic polyneuropathy and seek an optimal screening method in diabetic clinic.Materials and Methods:Hundred consecutive patients with Type 2 diabetes were subjected to Diabetic Neuropathy Symptom Score, DNE score, Semmes-Weinstein monofilament examination, Vibration Perception Threshold and Nerve Conduction Studies; mean ± SD for the various characteristics were calculated. Sensitivity and specificity for the DNE, SWME and VPT were calculated, taking NCS as gold standard.Results:Seventy one of 100 subjects had evidence of neuropathy confirmed by Nerve Conduction Studies, while 29 did not have neuropathy. The DNE score gave a sensitivity of 83% and a specificity of 79%. The sensitivity of SWME was 98.5% and specificity was 55%. Vibration Perception Thresholds yielded a sensitivity of 86% and a specificity of 76%.Conclusions:A simple neurological examination score is as good as Vibration Perception threshold in evaluation of polyneuropathy in a diabetic clinic. It may be a better screening tool for diagnosis of diabetic polyneuropathy in view of the cost effectiveness and ease of applicability.

Sintomas depressivos e qualidade de vida em pacientes diabéticos tipo 2 com polineuropatia distal diabética

To investigate the impact of depressive symptoms and neuropathic pain in the quality of life (QL) of diabetic patients with diabetic distal polyneuropathy (DDP). Two hundred and four patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus were evaluated. The diagnosis of DDP was achieved using the Neuropathy Disability Score and Neuropathy Symptom Score questionnaires. The severity of neuropathic pain was assessed by means of a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS); the severity of depression, by means of the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI); and QL was assessed by means of the World Health Organization Quality of Life Instrument-bref (WHOQOLbref). Patients with DDP presented significant higher scores in BDI (12.6 +/- 7.2 versus 9.9 +/- 7.3; p = 0.018) and in VAS (5.0 +/- 2.4 versus 2.6 +/- 2.9; p < 0.001). They also presented significant lower scores in the physical (52.8 +/- 15.5 versus 59.2 +/- 17.0; p = 0.027) and environmental domains (56.6 +/- 12.3 versus 59.6 +/- 13.6; p = 0,045). Diabetic patients with DDP presented a worse QL in the physical and environmental domains of the WHOQOL-bref, probably due to more depressive symptoms and the severity of pain.

Axon-reflex cutaneous vasodilatation is impaired in type 2 diabetic patients receiving chronic low-dose aspirin

Low-dose aspirin is largely but non-homogeneously used in primary prevention of cardiovascular complication in type-2 diabetic patients. We hypothesised that low-dose aspirin could interfere with the cutaneous neurovascular responses in type-2 diabetic patients. Galvanic current-induced vasodilatation (CIV) is an original non-noxious integrative model of neurovascular interaction and is impaired under low-dose aspirin in healthy subjects. Twenty type-2 diabetic patients (ten not receiving aspirin: D -NA and ten regularly receiving ≤ 150 mg/day aspirin: D -A), and ten age-, BMI-, and gender-matched non-diabetic control volunteers (MC), underwent macro- and microvascular investigations, including: CIV, acetylcholine (ACh) and sodium nitroprusside (SNP) iontophoresis, post-occlusive hyperemia (POH), neuropathy symptom (NSS) and disability (NDS) scores, and thermal and vibration sensory thresholds. Results are presented as median [25–75 centile] and microvascular results are expressed in multiple from baseline conductance (%C b). CIV was 554 [349–769] %C b in MC, 251 [190–355] %C b in D -NA and 159 [136–202] %C b in D -A ( p < 0.05). No differences were observed between the three groups except for CIV, which is impaired in diabetic patients and further impaired in those regularly receiving low-dose aspirin, while other macrovascular, microvascular and clinical-sensitivity investigations show no significant difference. Potential clinical markers for the impairment of the neurovascular interaction are still required in diabetes. Correlation of the CIV response with the risk of cutaneous complications in diabetic patients remains to be tested.

Alpha-lipoic acid and frataxin: A new indication for an old antioxidant?

Alpha-lipoic acid and frataxin: A new indication for an old antioxidant?

Plasma apelin levels in diabetic patients with and without neuropathy

Abstract The aim of this study was to investigate the plasma apelin levels in diabetic patients with and without neuropathy. All consecutive diabetic patients who presented for routine follow-up at our outpatient clinic were invited to participate in this clinical study. Forty diabetic patients (20 female and 20 male) and twenty-two non-diabetic control subjects (9 female and 13 male) were included in the study. Neurological evaluations in diabetic subjects were done by nerve conduction studies and evaluated with the Neuropathy Symptom Score. Fasting plasma glucose, HbA1c, lipid and apelin levels were measured in each subject. The mean plasma apelin level was significantly higher in the diabetic patients than in the control subjects (p = 0.026). Apelin levels were statistically similar between diabetic patients with and without neuropathy (p = 0.43). Further, plasma apelin levels were found to be higher in diabetic patients with neuropathy when compared with those of healthy control subjects (p = 0.02). In diabetic patients with neuropathy, plasma apelin levels correlated significantly with diabetes duration (r = 0.5, p = 0.02). We propose that apelin levels in diabetic patients are higher in the presence of neuropathy and longer disease duration, although this might not solely suffice as an indicator for the presence of neuropathy in diabetic patients. Drawing attention to the possible association between the apelinergic system and diabetes mellitus, we believe that further studies with larger samples should be carried out also to investigate the presence of retinopathy and nephropathy.

Endothelial dysfunction in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus and its role in the development of diabetic peripheral polyneuropathy

Aim. To measure endothelial factors (nitric oxide (NOx) metabolites, endothelin-1 (ET-1), and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF)) in children and adolescentswith diabetes mellitus (DM) during development of diabetic peripheral polyneuropathy (DPNP). Materials and methods. A total of 130 children and adolescents with diabetes mellitus were examined. Duration of DM varied from 3 months to 14 years. Thecontrol group comprised 20 children and adolescents without DM or neurologic pathology. Subjective manifestations of DPNP were assessed based on thedata of a standardized Neuropathy Symptom Score (NSS) questionnaire. Neuropathy Disability Score (NDS) questionnaire was used to monitor objectivechanges of DPNP. NOx metabolites were detected with Griess reagent (Aldrich Chemical Co, USA). Serum ET-1 and bFGF were measured using solid-phaseimmunoenzyme assay (DRG, USA) and CYTIMMINE (USA) kits respectively. Results. All children and adolescents with DM1 had lower NOx and bFGF levels than controls. ET-1 level in DM patients was 3.5 times that in controls. DMpatients with DPNP had more pronounced endothelial dysfunction than DM patients without DPNP and control subjects. Patients with hyperproduction ofNOx had DM for more than 10 years and their total NDS score was significantly higher than in two other groups. Conclusion. Endothelial dysfunction in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus progresses with the development of DPNP. Depletion of endothelialfunctional reserve is responsible for the unfavourable course of DPNP.

Sudomotor dysfunction is associated with foot ulceration in diabetes

To examine the relationship between sudomotor dysfunction and foot ulceration (FU) in patients with diabetes. Ninety patients with either Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes [30 without peripheral sensorimotor neuropathy (PN), 30 with PN but without FU and 30 with FU] were recruited in this cross-sectional study. Assessment of PN was based on neuropathy symptom score (NSS), neuropathy disability score (NDS) and vibration perception threshold (VPT). Sudomotor dysfunction was assessed using the sympathetic skin response (SSR). Cardiac autonomic nervous system activity was assessed by the battery of the classical autonomic function tests. Patients with foot ulcers had longer duration of diabetes, higher values of VPT and NDS and lower values of the autonomic functions tests in comparison with the other study groups. Sudomotor dysfunction and cardiac autonomic neuropathy were significantly more common in the FU group. Multivariate logistic regression analysis after adjustment for gender, body mass index, duration of diabetes and glycated haemoglobin (HbA(1c)) demonstrated that the odds ratio (95% confidence intervals) of FU increased with measures of neuropathy such as NDS >or= 6 (10.2, 6.2-17.3) and VPT >or= 25 volts (19.8, 9.9-47.5), but was also significantly increased with absent SSR (15.3, 5.3-38.4). Sudomotor dysfunction is associated with increased risk of FU and should be included in the screening tests for identification of diabetic patients at risk of ulceration.

Observational study of homeopathic and conventional therapies in patients with diabetic polyneuropathy

The feasibility and outcomes of homeopathic therapy in a group of type-2 diabetes mellitus patients with diabetic neuropathy were studied in a prospective observational study. Patients were followed from baseline (T0) for 6 months (T1) and for 12 months (T2), treatment was adjusted as necessary. Primary outcome was diabetic neuropathy symptom (DNS) score, secondary outcomes were clinical evolution and short-form-36 (SF-36)-evaluated quality of life (QOL). Homeopathy was used in 45 patients, 32 of whom completed the observation study, and in parallel the conventional therapy outcomes were observed in 32 patients, 29 of whom completed the study. DNS improved in both groups during the observation period, but the change with respect to baseline was statistically significant only in Homeopathic group at T1 (P=0.016). Over the course of the observation there was a substantial stability of the electroneurophysiological values, blood pressure and body weight in both groups, a slight decrease of fasting blood glucose and glycated haemoglobin in Homeopathic group. QOL scores showed an improvement in Homeopathic group only. The cost of conventional drugs decreased in Homeopathic group from 114 euro/month to 94 euro/month at T1. Complementary homeopathic therapy of diabetic neuropathy was feasible and promising effects in symptom scores and cost savings were observed.

Plasma Osteoprotegerin Concentrations in Type 2 Diabetic Patients and its Association with Neuropathy

To investigate the association of plasma osteoprotegerin (OPG) levels with diabetic neuropathy. Forty-two diabetic patients (21 female and 21 male) and twenty-four non-diabetic healthy control subjects (12 female and 12 male) were included in the study. All consecutive diabetic patients who came for routine follow-up at our outpatient clinic were invited to participate in this clinical study. We studied EMG and neuropathy symptom score in all study subjects. Fasting plasma glucose, HbA1 C, hs-CRP, OPG levels and lipid profile were measured for each subject. Serum fasting glucose, HbA1c, HOMA-IR, total cholesterol, triglyserid, LDL-Cholesterol, HDL-Cholesterol, lipoprotein (a), apolipoprotein-b, hs-CRP, OPG levels, and neuropathy symptom score were statistically higher in diabetic patients than in healthy control subjects. Plasma OPG levels was statistically higher in diabetic patients than it was in nondiabetic control subjects. However, plasma OPG levels were not significantly different between diabetic patients without neuropathy and healthy control subjects. On the other hand, OPG levels were statistically higher in diabetic patients with neuropathy than in patients without neuropathy. In addition to that serum fasting glucose, HbA1c, hs-CRP, diabetes duration, neuropathy symptom score were statistically higher in diabetic patients with neuropathy than they were in patients without neuropathy. In total group of subjects, plasma OPG levels were correlated significantly with age, diabetes duration, HbA1c, total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, lipoprotein (a), apolipoprotein b, hs-CRP. In diabetic patients, plasma OPG correlated significantly with age, diabetes duration, neuropathy symptom score, HbA1c, lipoprotein (a), apolipoprotein b levels. The major findings of this study were that the plasma OPG concentrations were higher in type 2 diabetic patients than OPG concentrations in healthy control subjects and they were positively correlated with diabetic neuropathy. This finding supports the growing concept that OPG acts as an important regulator in the development of vascular dysfunction in diabetes.

Benfotiamine in Diabetic Polyneuropathy (BENDIP): Results of a Randomised, Double Blind, Placebo-controlled Clinical Study

Efficacy and safety of benfotiamine in treatment of diabetic polyneuropathy. Double blind, placebo-controlled, phase-III-study. 181 patients were screened. 165 patients with symmetrical, distal diabetic polyneuropathy were randomised to one of three treatment groups entering the wash-out phase and 133/124 patients were analysed in the ITT/PP analysis: Benfotiamine 600 mg per day (n=47/43), benfotiamine 300 mg per day (n=45/42) or placebo (n=41/39). After 6 weeks of treatment, the primary outcome parameter NSS (Neuropathy Symptom Score) differed significantly between the treatment groups (p=0.033) in the PP (per protocol) population. In the ITT (intention to treat) population, the improvement of NSS was slightly above significance (p=0.055). The TSS (Total Symptom Score) showed no significant differences after 6 weeks of treatment. The improvement was more pronounced at the higher benfotiamine dose and increased with treatment duration. In the TSS, best results were obtained for the symptom "pain". Treatment was well tolerated in all groups. Benfotiamine may extend the treatment option for patients with diabetic polyneuropathy based on causal influence on impaired glucose metabolism. Further studies should confirm the positive experiences.

The Sensitivity of Clinical Diagnostic Methods in the Diagnosis of Diabetic Neuropathy

This study assessed the sensitivity of various methods for the clinical diagnosis of diabetic peripheral neuropathy. A total of 147 randomly selected patients with diabetes mellitus and 65 age- and sex-matched healthy controls were evaluated by various clinical (the neuropathy symptom score [NSS], the neuropathy disability score [NDS], vibration perception thresholds [VPTs], Tinel's sign and Phalen's sign), laboratory (fasting plasma glucose and glycosylated haemoglobin levels) and electro-physiological (nerve conduction studies, H-reflex and F-wave measurements) methods. In the patient group, 8.2% had an abnormal NSS, 28.5% had a positive Phalen's sign, 32.6% had a positive Tinel's sign, 42.8% had an abnormal VPT and 57.1% had an abnormal NDS. Significant correlations were found between electro-physiologically confirmed neuropathy and the two provocation tests and abnormal VPTs. In conclusion, assessment with a complete neurological examination and standard electrophysiological tests is very important for the diagnosis of diabetic peripheral neuropathy and the prevention of morbidity in patients with or without symptoms.

Comparison of Diabetic Neuropathy Symptom Score and Medial Plantar Sensory Nerve Conduction Studies in Diabetic Patients Showing Normal Routine Nerve Conduction Studies

Diabetic Neuropathy Symptom (DNS) scoring and medial plantar NCS are useful methods for diagnosis of diabetic polyneuropathy (DPN). We evaluated the correlation between DNS score and medial plantar NCS in diabetic patients with a normal routine NCS. Nineteen healthy subjects were included as a control group. Fifty patients with diabetes mellitus who were referred for the evaluation of DPN were recruited (35 asymptomatic and 15 symptomatic). Control subjects and diabetic patients over the age of 70 were excluded from this study. Medial plantar nerve action potential (NAP) was recordable in all 19 control subjects and was not obtainable in 7 out of 15 symptomatic patients and in 5 out of 35 asymptomatic patients. The amplitudes of sural (Spearman r=-0.293, p=0.003) and medial plantar NAP (Spearman r=-0.215, p=0.03) correlated with DNS score. An abnormality finding in the medial plantar sensory nerve conduction study is a more sensitive indicator than sural nerve conduction study in the diagnosis of DPN and the medial plantar sensory nerve should be included in the evaluation of DPN in patients showing normal routine NCS.

Correlation of epidermal nerve fiber density with pain-related evoked potentials in HIV neuropathy

HIV associated sensory neuropathy is a common neurological disorder with reported prevalence of 53%. When only small fibers are involved, the diagnosis of neuropathy remains difficult since standard nerve conduction studies generally are unremarkable. We assessed a method to identify small-fiber neuropathy using electrically evoked pain-related potentials and correlated the electrophysiological results with intraepidermal nerve fiber density in patients with HIV associated sensory neuropathy. Nineteen HIV positive patients were investigated for clinically diagnosed peripheral neuropathy with Neuropathy Symptoms Score (NSS) ⩾ 3 and Neuropathy Disability Score (NDS) ⩾ 5. Nine healthy HIV negative control subjects were recruited. We performed standard nerve conduction testing, electrically evoked pain-related potentials and skin biopsy in all participants. Pain-related evoked potentials revealed abnormalities in all HIV positive neuropathy patients, while standard nerve conduction testing was abnormal in eight patients only. Pain-related evoked potential latencies and amplitudes strongly correlated with intraepidermal nerve fiber density. The method of pain-related evoked potential conduction appears to be a sensitive, fast, non-invasive technique for the detection of small-fiber neuropathy and may prove to become a valuable diagnostic asset.

SRAGE and esRAGE are not Associated with Peripheral or Autonomic Neuropathy in Type 2 Diabetes

The receptor for glycation end-products RAGE was previously shown to play a central role in the development of diabetic neuropathy. The present study was aimed to investigate, whether plasma levels of the soluble forms of RAGE are associated with neuropathy in type 2 diabetes. One-hundred and eight patients were screened for peripheral and autonomic diabetic neuropathy using standardized screening tests. No differences in the levels of soluble RAGE or the more defined endogenous secretory RAGE were observed in patients categorized into having no, mild, moderate, or severe deficits in the neuropathy disability or symptom score. In bivariate analysis, neither soluble RAGE nor endogenous secretory RAGE correlated with the expiration to inspiration ratio of heart rate variability. In multivariate models, the neuropathy disability score was independently associated with age (beta=0.38, p<0.01), glomerular filtration rate (beta=0.28, p<0.01) and the presence of retinopathy (beta=0.27, p<0.01), while the neuropathy symptom score was associated with age (beta=0.31, p<0.01) and fasting glucose (beta=0.24, p<0.05). The expiration to inspiration ratio of heart rate variability was associated with age (beta=-0.42, p<0.01), the body-mass-index (beta=-0.28, p<0.01) and presence of retinopathy (beta=-0.19, p<0.05). In contrast to classical risk factors, plasma soluble RAGE and endogenous secretory RAGE are not associated with measures of diabetic neuropathy in type 2 diabetes patients.

Usefulness of a new indicator test for the diagnosis of peripheral and autonomic neuropathy in patients with diabetes mellitus

The aim of the present study was to assess the performance of a new indicator test (NIT), based on the measurement of sweat production after exposure to dermal foot perspiration, in the diagnosis of both peripheral sensorimotor polyneuropathy (PSN) and autonomic neuropathy in patients with diabetes. One hundred and seventeen diabetic patients were examined. PSN was assessed using the neuropathy symptoms score, the neuropathy disability score and the vibration perception threshold. Cardiac autonomic neuropathy (CAN) was assessed using the battery of the four classical standardized tests proposed by Ewing et al., Diabetes Care 1985; 8: 491-498. Sudomotor dysfunction was assessed using the NIT. Fifty patients (42.7%) had PSN and 44 patients (37.6%) had CAN. Of the 50 patients with PSN, 43 had a positive NIT (sensitivity 86%) and, out of the 67 patients without PSN, a negative NIT was obtained in 45 patients (specificity 67%). The positive and the negative predictive value of the NIT in detecting PSN were 66.2 and 86.5%, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of NIT in detecting CAN was 59.1 and 46.5%, respectively. In the case of severe CAN, the sensitivity was increased to 80.9% and the specificity to 50%. The NIT has good sensitivity and negative predictive value for diagnosis of PSN and can be used as a screening method for detection of this complication in patients with diabetes. In addition, the test has a low sensitivity for detection of autonomic neuropathy in patients with milder forms of CAN.

Comorbidity of psychiatric disorders and symmetric distal polyneuropathy among type II diabetic outpatients

The objective of the present study was to establish the frequency of psychiatric comorbidity in a sample of diabetic patients with symmetric distal polyneuropathy (SDPN). Sixty-five patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus were selected consecutively to participate in the study at Instituto Estadual de Diabetes e Endocrinologia. All patients were submitted to a complete clinical and psychiatric evaluation, including the Portuguese version of the structured clinical interview for DSM-IV, the Beck Depression Inventory, the Neuropathy Symptom Score, and Neuropathy Disability Score. SDPN was identified in 22 subjects (33.8%). Patients with and without SDPN did not differ significantly regarding sociodemographic characteristics. However, a trend toward a worse glycemic control was found in patients with SDPN in comparison to patients without SDPN (HbA1c = 8.43 ± 1.97 vs 7.48 ± 1.95; P = 0.08). Patients with SDPN exhibited axis I psychiatric disorders significantly more often than those without SDPN (especially anxiety disorders, in general (81.8 vs 60.0%; P = 0.01), and major depression - current episode, in particular (18.2 vs 7.7%; P = 0.04)). The severity of the depressive symptoms correlated positively with the severity of SDPN symptoms (r = 0.38; P = 0.006), but not with the severity of SDPN signs (r = 0.07; P = 0.56). In conclusion, the presence of SDPN seems to be associated with a trend toward glycemic control. The diagnosis of SDPN in diabetic subjects seems also to be associated with relevant psychiatric comorbidity, including anxiety and current mood disorders.

Comorbidity of psychiatric disorders and symmetric distal polyneuropathy among type II diabetic outpatients

The objective of the present study was to establish the frequency of psychiatric comorbidity in a sample of diabetic patients with symmetric distal polyneuropathy (SDPN). Sixty-five patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus were selected consecutively to participate in the study at Instituto Estadual de Diabetes e Endocrinologia. All patients were submitted to a complete clinical and psychiatric evaluation, including the Portuguese version of the structured clinical interview for DSM-IV, the Beck Depression Inventory, the Neuropathy Symptom Score, and Neuropathy Disability Score. SDPN was identified in 22 subjects (33.8%). Patients with and without SDPN did not differ significantly regarding sociodemographic characteristics. However, a trend toward a worse glycemic control was found in patients with SDPN in comparison to patients without SDPN (HbA1c = 8.43 +/- 1.97 vs 7.48 +/- 1.95; P = 0.08). Patients with SDPN exhibited axis I psychiatric disorders significantly more often than those without SDPN (especially anxiety disorders, in general (81.8 vs 60.0%; P = 0.01), and major depression--current episode, in particular (18.2 vs 7.7%; P = 0.04)). The severity of the depressive symptoms correlated positively with the severity of SDPN symptoms (r = 0.38; P = 0.006), but not with the severity of SDPN signs (r = 0.07; P = 0.56). In conclusion, the presence of SDPN seems to be associated with a trend toward glycemic control. The diagnosis of SDPN in diabetic subjects seems also to be associated with relevant psychiatric comorbidity, including anxiety and current mood disorders.