Risk factors for distal symmetric neuropathy in NIDDM. The San Luis Valley Diabetes Study.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate risk factors for distal symmetric (sensory) neuropathy among prevalent cases of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) in a population-based study in southern Colorado.


METHODS
Prevalent neuropathy was identified in 77 of 277 people with NIDDM by a standardized history and neurologic examination. Fifteen known or suspected risk factors for neuropathy were determined without knowledge of neuropathy status.


RESULTS
Older age at examination, longer duration of diabetes, higher glycohemoglobin percentage, lower fasting C-peptide, insulin use, and presence of retinopathy and nephropathy (microalbumin > or = 200 micrograms/ml) were all significantly associated with neuropathy. Sex, ethnicity (Hispanic versus non-Hispanic white), height, systolic blood pressure, peripheral vascular disease, cigarette and alcohol use, and serum lipid levels were not significantly associated with neuropathy. In a multivariate logistic model, increasing age (odds ratio [OR] = 1.3, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.1-1.6), longer duration of diabetes (OR = 1.3, CI = 1.0-1.6), increased glycohemoglobin percentage (OR = 1.5, CI = 1.1-2.1), and insulin use (OR = 2.8, CI = 1.3-6.1) were associated with neuropathy. Retinopathy (OR = 3.0, CI = 1.2-7.7), but not nephropathy, was important when added to this model.


CONCLUSIONS
Worse glycemic control and insulin use were independently associated with neuropathy in people with NIDDM. Whether insulin use represents another marker for severity of the metabolic disturbance or is an independent risk factor for neuropathy requires further study. We could not confirm associations of neuropathy with height, with nephropathy, or with retinopathy, independent of duration of diabetes.
Franklin
G M
GM
Department of Environmental Health, University of Washington School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Seattle 98103.
Shetterly
S M
SM
Cohen
J A
JA
Baxter
J
J
Hamman
R F
RF
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D002096:C-Peptide / Q000097:blood; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D003928:Diabetic Nephropathies / Q000150:complications; D003929:Diabetic Neuropathies / Q000209:etiology*; D003930:Diabetic Retinopathy / Q000150:complications; D005260:Female; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D012307:Risk Factors; D013997:Time Factors
D002096:C-Peptide; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin; D007328:Insulin