Screening and prevalence of peripheral neuropathy in type 2 diabetic outpatients: a randomized multicentre survey in 12 city hospitals of China.

Background: The 10-g Semmes-Weinstein monofilament and 128-Hz tuning fork examinations are considered simple and effective screening instruments for diabetic peripheral neuropathy. This study investigated the prevalence of diabetic peripheral neuropathy of combining both methods in type 2 diabetic outpatients in Chinese urban hospitals.

Methods: Pressure sensation and vibration perception were randomly screened using 10-g Semmes-Weinstein monofilament and 128-Hz tuning fork in type 2 diabetic outpatients from 12 centres in 8 Chinese cities in a randomized, multicentre epidemiological study. The prevalence and treatment status of neuropathy were assessed, and relevant risk factors were analysed.

Results: A total of 1197 outpatients were screened and 1193 were enrolled in this study, including 1067 known cases of diabetes (KDM group) and 126 newly diagnosed cases of diabetes (NDM group). Screening results showed that the prevalence of perception defects was 17.02% in the total population, 18.28% in the known DM group and 6.35% in the new DM group, respectively. The frequency of previous diabetic peripheral neuropathy examination was only 32% in the known DM group and 31.75% in the new DM group. Thirty-two percent of known DM patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy did not receive any treatment formerly. It also revealed that there was a region-wise difference in prevalence of diabetic peripheral neuropathy, and it increased with age and diabetic duration. Retinopathy, HbA(1c), diabetes duration and age were independent risk factors for diabetic peripheral neuropathy.

Conclusions: The screening and treatment rate of diabetic peripheral neuropathy is low in China. The prevalence of diabetic peripheral neuropathy in type 2 diabetic outpatients in Chinese city hospitals is 17.2%. Diabetic retinopathy is an independent risk factor for diabetic peripheral neuropathy.