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. 2023 Oct 18;12(20):6597.
doi: 10.3390/jcm12206597.

Diabetic Polyneuropathy and Physical Activity in Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus: A Cross-Sectional Study

Simona Zaccaria  1 , Pasquale Di Perna  1 , Laura Giurato  1 , Chiara Pecchioli  1 , Patrizia Sperti  1 , Flavio Arciprete  2 , Alessandra Del Grande  2 , Isabella Nardone  1 , Sium Wolde Sellasie  1 , Cesare Iani  2 , Luigi Uccioli  1
Affiliations

Diabetic Polyneuropathy and Physical Activity in Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus: A Cross-Sectional Study

Simona Zaccaria et al. J Clin Med. .

Abstract

Background: The purpose of this study is to access whether a personal attitude to physical activity (PA) may influence the appearance of diabetic polyneuropathy (DPN) patients with well-controlled type 1 diabetes mellitus.

Methods: Ninety patients attending the diabetes technology outpatient clinic were enrolled. DPN was investigated according to the Toronto consensus diagnostic criteria. PA was assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire.

Results: PA was low in 21.1%, moderate in 42.2% and high in 36.7% of patients. According to Toronto criteria, we defined two categories: the first one with DPN absent or possible (57 (63.3%)) and a second one with DPN certain or probable (33 (36.7%)). The χ2-test of the PA groups and the DPN categories showed a statistically significant difference (p < 0.001), with less neuropathy in patients belonging to the group of moderate/high PA. Exposure to a minimum of 600 MET minutes/week was protective factor against the onset of DPN (odd ratio 0.221, c.i. 0.068-0.720, p = 0.012).

Conclusions: This study suggests that DPN is less present in type 1 diabetic patients with good metabolic control and a good personal habit of PA. Moderate-to-vigorous PA of at least 600 MET minutes/week might be a protective factor against DPN.

Keywords: IPAQ; diabetic polyneuropathy; physical activity; type 1 diabetes.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Metabolic control (HbA1c) was significantly different in PA groups.
Figure 2
Figure 2
The Steno type 1 risk engine was significantly different in PA groups.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Relationship between diabetic polyneuropathy prevalence and the level of physical activity.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Levels of the Steno type 1 risk engine in relation to the presence of DPN.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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