The epidemiology of diabetic neuropathy

The understanding of the epidemiology of diabetic peripheral neuropathy has been made difficult by methodological issues relating to many of the publi shed studies. Inconsistency in the selection of diagnostic procedures makes it difficult to compare studies, Further problems arise from selection bia s. Many studies describe the prevalence in hospital-based populations, whic h bias toward those who are more severely affected. Diabetic neuropathy app ears to affect similar to 30% of the hospital-based population, similar to 20% of community-based samples, and similar to 10% of patients in whom bloo d glucose testing is used to identify all of those with diabetes. The incid ence of diabetic neuropathy is similar to 2% per year, The most important e tiological factors that have been associated with neuropathy are poor glyce mic control, diabetes duration, and height, with possible roles for hyperte nsion, age, smoking, hypoinsulinemia, and dyslipidemia.