WORLD JOURNAL OF ADVANCE
HEALTHCARE RESEARCH

*Nadia R. Bahar and Faris H. Al- Lami

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) has been defined as a demonstrable disorder, either clinically evident or subclinical, that occurs in the setting of diabetes without other causes for peripheral neuropathy. Goal: To evaluate the prevalence of diabetic peripheral neuropathy in a sample of type 2 diabetes individuals and identify risk factors. Method: A cross-sectional research was done on all known type 2 diabetic patients aged 30 or older who were on regular diabetes mellitus therapy at Al-Baladiyat popular clinic in Baghdad (selected conveniently) and agreed to participate. The research excluded pregnant women and individuals with neurological diseases that might induce peripheral neuropathy. The data collection tool includes a questionnaire about socio-demographic variables, disease history, and co-morbid illnesses; height, weight, BMI, and waist circumference; and the Michigan neuropathy screening instrument (MNSI), which has two parts: a history portion and a simple physical assessment for DPN diagnosis. Results: The study found a 55.3% prevalence of Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy (DPN). Factors significantly associated with higher DPN prevalence included older age, male gender, rural residency, widowhood, lower education levels, retirement, smoking, longer diabetes and hypertension durations, ischemic heart disease, irregular treatment adherence, and infrequent doctor visits. No glucometer at home and taller height were also linked to higher DPN prevalence. No association was found with family history of diabetes, diet, weight reduction attempts, exercise, waist circumference, or BMI. Most (74.7%) patients with DPN identified by the MNSI physical assessment were unaware of their condition. Conclusion: Most research participants are ignorant of DPN, despite its high frequency. Logistic regression research identified DPN risk variables as age, duration of diabetes, educational level, pack-year smoked, frequency of blood sugar testing, and history portion score.

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