Association Between FAM134B and Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy in Type 2 Diabetes: A Double-Center Case-Control Study

The role of FAM134B in neurological diseases has received significant attention; however, its role in diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) remains unexplored. This study investigated the association between plasma FAM134B levels and DPN while assessing its diagnostic value.

The study included 128 inpatients with type 2 diabetes divided into DPN (n = 68) and non-DPN (n = 60) groups. FAM134B expression was determined via qRT-PCR analysis of plasma FAM134B mRNA level. All clinical data were retrieved from the Hospital Information System. SPSS and R were used for statistical analyses.

Plasma FAM134B mRNA levels were significantly higher in the DPN than in the non-DPN group (p < 0.001). Increased FAM134B mRNA levels were strongly linked to increased odds of DPN, with the highest quartile showing a significant risk elevation (Odds Ratio [OR] = 21.42, 95% Confidence Interval: 4.86-96.46, p < 0.001). Restricted cubic spline analysis confirmed a non-linear relationship, thereby identifying a critical threshold of FAM134B mRNA levels at 2.53, above which the risk sharply increased (adjusted OR = 3.11, p = 0.006). Subgroup analysis showed consistent associations across most subgroups, with a notable difference in males (p = 0.038). The diagnostic performance was moderate (Area Under the Curve [AUC] = 0.756). While adding FAM134B mRNA to the model did not dramatically improve the AUC, it significantly enhanced reclassification metrics (Net Reclassification Improvement = 0.165, Integrated Discrimination Improvement = 0.095, p < 0.05), thereby highlighting its clinical value.

Increased FAM134B expression positively correlated with the odds of DPN, and may act as a promising target for diagnostic and therapeutic interventions.