Aisha Qadir, Sumera Sohail, Lubna Naz, Ghazala Yasmeen, Nazish Iqbal.
Prevalence of risk factors promoting Diabetic neuropathy ..
Pak J Neurological Sci Jan ;14(2):16-23.

Background: Diabetic neuropathy is the worst consequence of diabetes mellitus leading to nerve dysfunction that is the cause of several complications such as pain, loss of sensitivity, damage to body systems, foot ulcers, morbidity and amputations etc. The aim of the present work was to study the prevalence of risk factors and occurrence of diabetic neuropathy in patients with diabetes, and how much diabetic neuropathy complications affect the life of diabetic patients. Methods: Study in the urban areas of Karachi was conducted based on survey (interview questionnaire), and measurements/sample collection (blood pressure, physical activity, BMI, blood glucose and lipid profile) in male and female healthy controls and patients with diabetes (age range for both groups: 35-75). Results: Results demonstrated that the family history, aging, long duration of diabetes, tobacco addiction, heavy alcohol consumption, uncontrolled glucose level, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and lack of physical activity were found to be the major factors causing increase in neuropathic complications in patients with diabetes. However, controlling the modifiable risk factors helped in improving the progression of diabetic neuropathy and general status of patients’ health. Conclusions: it is recommended that awareness should be given to diabetic patients about their life style interventions that may lead to better healthy life with fewer neuropathic complications. Conclusively, the patients could become able to successfully prevent and delay the incidence of neuropathy by proper care, healthy diet, increasing level of physical activity and controlling the risk factors.

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