Glycaemia Status, Lipid Profile and Renal Parameters in Progressive Diabetic Neuropathy.

INTRODUCTION: Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy (DPN) is a common complication of diabetes. Existence of systemic co-morbidities in DPN patients has not been studied much, especially in Indian population.

AIM: To evaluate glycaemic status, lipid profile, renal parameters and blood count to assess occurrence of co-morbidities as severity of DPN progresses.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A case control study involving 104 DPN patients and 43 controls of age 31-70years were selected. Patients were categorized into stage 0, 1, 2 and 3 of severity as per Dyck system of classification. Fasting Blood Sugar (FBS), Post Prandial Blood Sugar (PPBS), Glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c), Lipid profile, Vitamin B12, Thyroid Stimulating Hormone, Urea, Creatinine and Complete blood counts were assessed along with baseline characteristics.

RESULTS: Glycosylated haemoglobin was in uncontrolled range for DPN patients (9.03±2.09) FBS and PPBS were significantly more with progress of severity of DPN (p<0.001). HDL decreased (p<0.001) as severity progressed and Triglyceride increased in DPN cases. Mean urea values increased (p=0.008) while haemoglobin levels and RBC count decreased (p<0.001) as severity of DPN progressed.

CONCLUSION: Abnormal lipid profile, increased urea and decreased RBC levels point to co-existence of cardiovascular and renal comorbidities as severity of DPN progressed.