Risk factors of peripheral neuropathy in patients with type 2 diabetes in Isfahan: Results of a cohort study in Iran

Abstract

Introduction: Peripheral neuropathy (PN) is among the most prevalent complications of diabetes that can lead to impairment of mobility of diabetic patients. The purpose of the current study was to predict relative factors influencing the occurrence of peripheral neuropathy (PN) in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Methods: This was a cohort study on diabetic patients in the Isfahan Province of Iran. The studied population consisted of patients with type 2 diabetes, of ages 18 or older, who were diagnosed as new cases of diabetes from 2007 to 2014, and whose follow-up was completed by the end of 2016. In this study, with regards to the presence of time-varying co-variates, timedependent Cox regression model was employed in order to estimate the Hazard Ratio (HR) of PN in the diabetic patients.

Results: Overall, 1874 patients with diabetes participated in the study, of which 839 (44.77%) were men and 1035 (55.23%) were women. During the study period, PN occurred in 17.98% of the patients; the ratio was 17% in women and 19.18% in men. In comparison to the reference group, the adjusted HR of PN in males was equal to 3.66 (95% CI: 1.15-11.67), in housewives was equal to 4.09 (95% CI: 1.02-16.38), and divorced or wife died patients was equal to 3.02 (95% CI: 1.61-5.65). In addition, for each 6 month follow-up of the patients, the adjusted HR of PN increased to 1.19 (95% CI: 1.17-1.22).

Conclusions: The adjusted HR of PN in men, in housewives, and elderly people, divorced or wife died patients, with elementary education level were greater than the reference group. Thus, training, screening and diagnostic programs should be carried out with greater sensitivity in patients who are at greater risk for PN.