Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy in Adults with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Abstract

Background: A complication of diabetes mellitus (DM) is diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN). Its causative factors include age, sex, duration of DM, body mass index (BMI), and a history of hypertension. Purpose: This study was aimed at identifying factors associated with DPN in adults with T2 DM. Methods: We employed a quantitative method with a cross-sectional approach and recruited 182 respondents through purposive sampling. We administered a diabetic neuropathy syndrome questionnaire and measured BMI and blood pressure. Data were analyzed univariately and bivariately using the chi-square test. Results: Of the 189 respondents, 139 (73.6%) were aged 45–59 years. The participants included 121 (67%) women and 8 (33%) men. Of all respondents, 108 (58.2%) had diabetes mellitus, 90 (49.4%) had an overweight BMI, 99 (51.6%) had a history of hypertension, and 139 (72.5%) had a history of DPN. The chi-square analysis showed a relationship between DPN and age (p = 0.000), duration of DM (p = 0.001), BMI (p = 0.010), and a history of hypertension (p = 0.000), but not with sex (p = 0.688). Conclusion: DPN can occur in patients with type 2 DM, and a high risk is associated with middle age, long duration of DM, overweight BMI, and a history of hypertension.