Painful Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy among Saudi Diabetic Patients is Common but Under-recognized: Multicenter Cross-sectional study at primary health care setting
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1Department of Family Medicine, Qassim University College of Medicine, Buraydah, Al-Qassim, Saudi Arabia.
Objective:
The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy (PDPN) and its associated risk factors in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus attending primary health care (PHC) in Saudi Arabia.
Materials And Methods:
A multicenter, cross-sectional study evaluated 242 type 2 diabetics who attended the National Guard PHC clinics in Riyadh. Trained physicians obtained the relevant data and medical history and assessed PDPN using the Michigan Neuropathy Screening Instrument.
Results:
About 35% of patients with type-2 diabetes in this study had painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy. High risk hemoglobin level and poor compliance with treatment were associated with increased odds of PDPN (Odds ratio [OR] =3.121, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.154-8.444, OR = 3.546, 95% CI 1.531-8.214, respectively). It is noted that only in one patient with PDPN, was their PDPN recognized by physicians. Furthermore, none of our study participants was taking medication to control the pain.
Conclusions:
One-third of Saudi Arabia's Type 2 diabetes patients have PDPN. PHC physicians treating diabetes should be more aware of the importance of screening for PDPN and the treatment plan.
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