Diabetic peripheral neuropathy among Saudi diabetic patients: A multicenter cross-sectional study at primary health care setting.

BACKGROUND

Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) is one of the most common complications of diabetes and is responsible for morbidity and disability among diabetic patients.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of painful DPN and its associated risk factors in patients with diabetes mellitus.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted among 430 diabetic patients attending primary healthcare centres (PHC) in AL Madinah city, Saudi Arabia. The validated Douleur Neuropathique-4 (DN4) questionnaire was used to identify the presence of painful DPN.

RESULTS

The majority were female (54.7%) and had type 2 diabetes mellitus (74.9%). The prevalence of DPN was 30.1% in type 2 diabetic patients and 25.9% in type 1 diabetic patients with an overall prevalence of 29.1%. DPN was associated significantly with age, duration of diabetes milieus, uncontrolled A1c, and positive family history of diabetes mellitus (P < 0.05). All the investigated comorbidities were also associated significantly with DPN (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of DPN was 25.9% and was associated with age duration of DM and uncontrolled HbA1c. PHC physicians treating diabetes should be more aware of the importance of screening for DPN and the treatment plan.