The Association Between Detailed Obesity Measurements and Peripheral Neuropathy in Persons With Diabetes

Area of Science:

• Endocrinology and Metabolism
• Neurology
• Public Health

Background:

• Obesity is a known risk factor for diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN).
• Previous research primarily used anthropometric measurements to assess obesity.
• This study investigates detailed obesity measurements and their association with DPN and painful DPN (pDPN).

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the associations between various detailed obesity measurements and DPN/pDPN.
• To compare the discriminatory capabilities of different obesity measurements for DPN, stratified by sex.

Main Methods:

• Cross-sectional study involving individuals with diabetes.
• Obesity assessed via anthropometrics, bioelectrical impedance (BIA), abdominal MRI (aMRI), and dual-X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA).
• DPN defined by Michigan Neuropathy Screening Instrument score ≥4; pDPN defined by bilateral foot pain.

Main Results:

• Out of 7090 participants, 17.9% had DPN, and 28.1% of those experienced pDPN.
• Numerous anthropometric, BIA, DEXA, and aMRI measurements were associated with DPN, but none with pDPN.
• For males, obesity distribution showed similar discrimination for DPN; for females, central obesity demonstrated the highest discriminatory power (AUC 0.92).

Conclusions:

• Obesity is associated with DPN, but not specifically with painful DPN.
• Obesity distribution measurements differentially discriminate DPN in females, with central obesity being the most effective.
• Findings highlight the importance of considering obesity distribution, particularly central obesity, in managing DPN risk in females.