[Risk factors involved in symmetrical distal diabetic neuropathy].
BACKGROUND
Diabetic neuropathy is a common neurological complication in patients with diabetes mellitus which affects their quality of life. The risk factors involved in this are not completely clear.


OBJECTIVE
To determine the frequency of symmetrical distal diabetic neuropathy and the risk factors associated with its occurrence in the group studied.


METHODS
A transversal study was made in the Hospital Clinico Quirurgico Hermanos Ameijeiras of Ciudad de la Habana (Cuba), in 200 patients diagnosed as having type 1 or type 2 diabetes mellitus, between January 1997 and December 1999. A clinical neurological examination and neurophysiological investigations were done on all patients to make a diagnosis of diabetic neuropathy. Subsequently, we compared those with diabetic neuropathy and those without in relation to the risk factors. Statistical analysis included the chi squared test and estimation of the relative risk. RESULTS. The frequency of symmetrical distal diabetic neuropathy was 30.0%. Related risk factors were: smoking (p= 0.00, RR= 2.59), raised serum cholesterol (p= 0.00, RR= 4.12), poor metabolic control of diabetes mellitus (p= 0.00, RR= 4.13), associated disorders (p= 0.00, RR= 5.31) including arterial hypertension (p= 0.03, RR= 1.90) and duration of diabetes mellitus (p= 0.00, RR= 2.01).


CONCLUSIONS
In our study symmetrical distal diabetic neuropathy was a common complication of diabetes mellitus associated with various risk factors.
Gómez-Viera
N
N
Servicio de Neurología; Hospital Clínico Quirúrgico Hermanos Ameijeiras, La Habana, 10300, Cuba. vdc@hha.sld.cu
Soto-Lavastida
A
A
Roselló-Silva
H
H
Gómez de Molina-Iglesias
M
M
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D048909:Diabetes Complications; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology; D003929:Diabetic Neuropathies / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous; D007328:Insulin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology
D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D007328:Insulin