International Journal of Collaborative Research on Internal Medicine & Public Health

Risk Factor of Peripheral Neuropathy among Newly Diagnosed Type 2 Diabetic Patients in Primary Care Clinic

Background: Diabetic foot is one of the most serious complications of diabetes leading to poor quality of life even a higher risk of mortality. Diabetic patients with peripheral neuropathy are at a higher risk of developing foot infection and ulcer. It causes a major source of morbidity, a leading cause of hospital bed occupancy and account for substantial health care, costs and resources.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to identify the risk factors for peripheral neuropathy among newly diagnosed Type 2 diabetic patient in Primary Care Clinic, Kota Bharu, Kelantan, Malaysia.

Methods: This was a part of the cross sectional study to assess the prevalence of peripheral neuropathy among newly diagnosed T2DM patients attending Primary Care Clinic in Kota Bharu district. It involved of 254 patients which were selected from July 2009 until June 2010. A set of case report form consist of socio demographic data, clinical examination and investigation result was used. Diabetic peripheral neuropathy is present if patient unable to feels the monofilament 5.07(10g) to one or more sites tested.

Results: The mean (SD) age of participants was 53.3(9.06) years. About 8.7% of participants were diagnosed to have peripheral neuropathy. The factors that contribute to the development of peripheral neuropathy among newly diagnose type 2 diabetes were age of the patients (p < 0.001) and the presence of retinopathy (p= 0.001).

Conclusion: The detection of the peripheral neuropathy should be done to all T2DM patients at the diagnosis, so that the preventive measures could be taken to prevent diabetic foot disease. Patients who have retinopathy should also screen for neuropathy.

Author(s): Azura MS , Adibah HI , Juwita S

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