Prevalence of Painful Diabetic Neuropathy Using the Self-Completed Leeds Assessment of Neuropathic Symptoms and Signs Questionnaire in a Population with Diabetes.
OBJECTIVE
This study assessed the feasibility of diagnosing painful diabetic neuropathy (PDN) using a postal self-completed Leeds Assessment of Neuropathic Symptoms and Signs (S-LANSS) questionnaire, and it compared the prevalence of PDN in patients with diabetes attending primary and secondary care.


METHODS
This was an observational study in northwest England, United Kingdom (n=204). S-LANSS were used by post to diagnose PDN. Consent for participation and access of blood results were obtained from the subjects with diabetes. Ethical approval was granted to do the work.


RESULTS
In this study the prevalence of PDN was 30.3%, comprising 33.1% of patients with type 2 diabetes compared to 14.1% patients with type 1 diabetes. The overall prevalence of PDN was 33% (n=43) in the secondary care group and 25.6% (n=19) in the primary care group; the rates were not statistically significant. There were no gender differences between the primary and secondary care populations. There was a significant association of obesity, smoking and height in males with PDN compared to the non-PDN group (p<0.05). There was a significant trend toward increasing prevalence of PDN with duration of diabetes, increasing glycated hemoglobin and increasing body mass index (p<0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
The overall prevalence of PDN in this study was 30.3%. The results demonstrated the use of self-administered S-LANSS was easy and can be used for epidemiologic surveys of PDN. The results are comparable to and similar to other published series, in both primary and secondary care settings.
Eaton Centre Medical Clinic, Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Electronic address: AmirAslam@hotmail.com.
Amir
A
Aslam
School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences and School of Forensic and Investigative Sciences, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, Lancashire, United Kingdom.
Jaipaul
J
Singh
School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences and School of Forensic and Investigative Sciences, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, Lancashire, United Kingdom; Department of Diabetology and Endocrinology, Lancashire Teaching Hospital NHS Trust, Chorley and South Ribble District General Hospital, Preston Road, Chorley, United Kingdom.
Satyan
S
Rajbhandari
D000368:Aged; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003929:Diabetic Neuropathies / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D057566:Self Report / Q000592:standards*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires / Q000592:standards*; D006113:United Kingdom / Q000453:epidemiology
S-LANSS questionnaire; neuropathie diabétique douloureuse; painful diabetic neuropathy; prevalence; prévalence