Association between Diabetic Neuropathy, Atherosclerosis and Peripheral Artery Disease on the duration of Diabetes Mellitus

Abstract

Diabetes is a disease characterized by high blood sugar and insulin resistance, resulting in vascular complication throughout the body, including diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN), which is a major cause of lower limb amputations. The aim of this research was to study the relationship between diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN), arterial stiffness and peripheral artery disease (PAD) on the duration of diabetes. The sample size was calculated by using software. The inclusion criteria were type 2 diabetes patients aged over 30 years and had blood glucose test results from Tha Nang Ngam Health Promotion Hospital, Tha Nang Ngam Subdistrict, Bang Rakam District, Phitsanulok Province. Methods were basic information interviews, DPN was assessed by using the Michigan neuropathy screening instrument (MNSI) and sensory testing by monofilament 10 g, the arterial stiffness was measured by cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) and PAD was evaluated by ankle brachial index (ABI). The data was analyzed by using SPSS software. The results showed that a total of 87 diabetics patients were divided into 49 patients with diabetes duration of 5 years or more and 38 patients with diabetes duration of less than 5 years. DPN as assessed by MNSI and PAD as assessed by ABI were related with the duration of diabetics (p<0.05). Therefore, high-risk diabetic patients should be evaluated for DPN, arterial stiffness and PAD to reduction the risk of foot ulcers and eventually amputation