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World J Diabetes. Aug 15, 2013; 4(4): 135-144
Published online Aug 15, 2013. doi: 10.4239/wjd.v4.i4.135
Published online Aug 15, 2013. doi: 10.4239/wjd.v4.i4.135
Association of comorbidities with increasing severity of peripheral neuropathy in diabetes mellitus
Shafina Sachedina, School of Medicine, Royal College of Surgeons Ireland, Co. Dublin 2, Ireland
Cory Toth, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, the University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta T2N 2B1, Canada
Author contributions: Toth C developed the concept and performed all clinical and electrophysiological assessments and verified analyses; Sachedina S grouped the data and performed analysis; both authors contributed to manuscript composition and final editing.
Correspondence to: Cory Toth, MD, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, the University of Calgary, HMRB 155, Foothills Hospital, 3330 Hospital Dr. NW, Calgary, Alberta T2N 2B1, Canada. cory.toth@albertahealthservices.ca
Telephone: +1-403-2208831 Fax: +1-403-2838371
Received: January 2, 2013
Revised: June 4, 2013
Accepted: June 19, 2013
Published online: August 15, 2013
Revised: June 4, 2013
Accepted: June 19, 2013
Published online: August 15, 2013
Core Tip
Core tip: The cause of diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) has remained elusive. Comorbid conditions may contribute to the severity of DPN. We studied patients with type 1 or 2 diabetes and concurrent DPN in order to identify potential comorbid conditions associated with greater neuropathic deficit. Concurrent lipidemia was associated with worse DPN in either type 1 or 2 diabetes. A concurrent vitamin B12 deficiency increased severity of DPN in type 2 diabetes. Although our results were potentially confounded by higher HbA1C values in patients with comorbid conditions, vigilance should occur for other causes of PN when diabetes is present.