Screening For Peripheral Sensory Neuropathy In a Tunisian Population of Patients With Diabetes

Aims: Diabetes is a public health problem in the world. Its prevalence as well as that of degenerative complications, such as peripheral sensory neuropathy, are high. Our study was aimed at determining the prevalence of peripheral sensory neuropathy in a Tunisian population of patients with diabetes and  identifying its associated risk factors. Methods: It was a descriptive prospective study conducted in department C of Diabetology and Nutrition of the National Institute of Nutrition of Tunis (September 2019). 100 patients with diabetes have been enrolled. Peripheral sensitive neuropathy was screened by the 10 g monofilament test. Results: The mean age was 54±12.9 years, The sex ratio was 0.78. Active smoking was 35% common. Diabetes was type 2 in the majority of cases (78%). The average duration of diabetes was 13.62±6.29 years. 78% of the population has been unbalanced. The prevalence of peripheral sensory neuropathy was 41%. It was significantly associated with diabetes duration (p<10-3), smoking (p=0.007) and diabetic retinopathy (p=0.032). Unbalnaced diabetes was not significantly associated with PSN (p=0,09). Conclusion: Screening for peripheral sensory neuropathy is compulsory because it can be asymptomatic and revealed at the stage of complications. Risk factors should be known and screened. This contribute in optimizing patients managing.