Endocrine Abstracts

Introduction: The prevalence of diabetes in the world population is increasing day by day so that its frequency reaches epidemic proportions. As a result, the complications of diabetes are becoming more and more frequent. Diabetic neuropathy, the most common complication which affect up to half of the patients.

Purpose of the study: To establish the prevalence of distal symmetrical polyneuropathy (DSPN) in diabetic patients and demonstrate the importance of screening for this complication.

Methods: This is a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted among 116 patients during their usual appointment at the consultation. Data collection was done over a period of 2 months from August 1 to September 30, 2021. All patients had a complete neurological examination. We used the Michigan Neuropathy Screening Instrument (MNSI) and the DN4 Neuropathic Pain Diagnostic Questionnaire to establish the prevalence of the disease in our population.

Results: We included 116 participants divided into 47 men and 69 women. The mean age was 62.07 [24 - 89 years]. Type 2 diabetes was noted in 79% of the popultion. The average duration of diabetes was 12,35 years. The average blood sugar was 7,9 mmol/l. HbA1c ≤7% was noted in 27% of cases. The mean MNSI History score was 3.76 and 23% of patients had a score ≥7 indicating the presence of diabetic neuropathy in them.The mean MNSI physical score was 3.82 and 51% of patients with a score ≥ 2.5 had diabetic neuropathy. The mean DN4 score was 3.25. Our results showed that 42 patients (36%) had neuropathic pain with a score ≥ 4. Thus, PNDS was diagnosed in 57.8% of our patients. This prevalence was established on the basis of DN4 and or MNSI scores. The podiatric risk was grade 2 in 29% and grade 3 in 12%.

Conclusion: Distal and symmetrical polyneuropathy is very frequent in diabetic patients and causes a consequent morbidity. It is therefore imperative to detect it early enough for a better management.