Deep phenotyping neuropathy: An underestimated complication in patients with pre-diabetes and type 2 diabetes associated with albuminuria.

Aims: The aim of the study was to assess whether quantitative-sensory-testing could be used to evaluate prevalence and predictors of diabetic neuropathy (DPNP) in patients with pre-diabetes and type 2 diabetes.

Methods: Twenty-eight pre-diabetics and 108 patients with type 2 diabetes were evaluated using neuropathy-deficit-score (NDS), neuropathy-symptom-score (NSS), nerve-conduction-studies (NCS), short-QST-protocol to examine small fibers and the comprehensive QST-battery (long-QST) according to the German Research Network on Neuropathic Pain protocol.

Results: Long-QST revealed a DPNP-prevalence of 71% in pre-diabetics and 95% in patients with type 2 diabetes, while according to NDS it was only 11% and 63%, and NCS missed 58% of patients with DPNP.