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. 2018 Jan-Apr;25(1):43-47.
doi: 10.4103/jfcm.JFCM_145_16.

Painful Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy among Saudi Diabetic Patients is Common but Under-recognized: Multicenter Cross-sectional study at primary health care setting

Metab A Algeffari  1
Affiliations

Painful Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy among Saudi Diabetic Patients is Common but Under-recognized: Multicenter Cross-sectional study at primary health care setting

Metab A Algeffari. J Family Community Med. 2018 Jan-Apr.

Abstract

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.

Keywords: Diabetic; Saudi; neuropathy; painful; peripheral.

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Conflict of interest statement

There are no conflicts of interest.

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