Prevalence and associated factors of peripheral neuropathy in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a cross-sectional study in Khartoum State.

BACKGROUND: Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) is a common and costly complication that occurs in both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes mellitus. The prevalence of neuropathy is estimated to be around 8% in newly diagnosed patients and exceeds 50% in those with long-standing disease. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of DPN among individuals with Type 2 diabetes mellitus in Sudan and to identify the factors associated with DPN. METHODOLOGY: This cross-sectional study was conducted in the outpatient setting of an endocrinology clinic at a tertiary care centre (Diabetes Specialized Centres) in Khartoum State between January 2020 and January 2021. RESULTS: Out of the 236 patients included in the study, the mean age was 55.7 ± 11.5 years, and 54.7% were female. The prevalence of DPN was found to be 43%. Logistic regression analysis revealed that the following factors were significantly associated with DPN: body mass index (BMI) (P = 0.022, OR = 3.733), male gender (P = 0.003, OR = 7.165), educational level (P = 0.034, OR = 20.577), duration of diabetes (P = 0.014, OR = 13.121), age (P = 0.001, OR = 2.735), HbA1c level (P = 0.002, OR = 1.782), alcohol consumption (P = 0.000, OR = 212.158), smoking status (P = 0.005, OR = 0.063), and the presence of hypertension (P = 0.001, OR = 11.493). CONCLUSION: There a relatively high prevalence of DPN in the diabetic population of Sudan, and significantly associated with the duration of diabetes, BMI, age, HbA1c levels, male gender, alcohol consumption, smoking status, and hypertension. Regular screening and patient education are needed to reduce DPN in Sudanese patients with diabetes. CLINICAL TRIAL NUMBER: NA.