Socioeconomic deprivation independently predicts painful diabetic neuropathy in type 2 diabetes

Painful peripheral neuropathy in people with type 2 diabetes is a disabling complication. We explored associations of this condition with socioeconomic deprivation.

The Townsend index of socioeconomic deprivation was examined in the pseudonymised GP records of 15388 (44.1% female) individuals with type 2 diabetes in the Cheshire county of England, and related to prevalence of drug treated painful diabetic neuropathy. We also analysed prescription trends with respect to pharmacotherapy for neuropathy pain relief.

Treatment for neuropathic pain was initiated in 3 266 (21.2%) of patients. Those on treatment were older [68.2 (95% CI 67.8-68.7) vs. 66.6 (66.4-66.8) years] than those not on treatment. There was no difference in HbA1c (7%, 55 mmol/mol).There were significant differences between the groups for the Townsend deprivation index, with a greater proportion (30.6% vs. 22.8% of patients with treated neuropathic pain) having a score of ≥1 (Χ(2)=83.9, p<0.0001).Multivariate logistic regression analyses indicated that each unit increment in the Townsend index was associated with an 6% increased odds of requiring neuropathic pain treatment [odds ratio (95%CI) 1.06 (1.05-1.08), p<0.0001] independent of 5 year age band, BMI, gender, systolic BP, eGFR, HbA1C and total cholesterol.

In this study using pseudonymised clinical records, a higher level of socioeconomic deprivation seemingly may predispose to severe neuropathic pain in diabetes requiring pharmacological intervention. Targeted allocation of healthcare resources to this group may offer clinical benefits.