A questionnaire for neurological symptoms in patients with diabetes - cross-sectional multicenter study in Saitama Prefecture, Japan

This study was designed to investigate the prevalence of neurological sympt oms in diabetic patients living in Saitama Prefecture, Japan using 13-item questionnaire. A total of 6472 outpatients with diabetes (3417 men and 3055 women) were recruited from 100 centers. Mean age and mean disease duration were 60.9-year old and 10.4 years, respectively. The questionnaire for mon itoring of neurological symptoms was completed at the clinic or hospital vi sited, and Achilles' tendon reflex, ophthalmologic, blood and urinary exami nations were also performed. Of the 6472 patients, 84.8% suffered from a me an of 3.3 +/- 2.2 neurological symptoms. However, half of these symptoms we re not considered to be those of diabetic neuropathy by attending physician s. 'Feeling as if a piece of paper is attached to the sole of the foot,' 's tinging and prickling sensations in feet,' and 'pain in feet' were the most common symptoms of diabetic neuropathy. The prevalence of diabetic neuropa thy as determined by attending physician increased with disease duration an d worse control of diabetes. This study found that the majority of diabetic s were suffered from neurological symptoms, although half of such symptoms were not considered to be those of diabetic neuropathy by physicians. Furth ermore, it is important for diabetics to be diagnosed and treated earlier t o prevent progression to severe neuropathic complications by means of optim al glycemic control and Use of some chemicals such as aldose reductase inhi bitor, and to develop this study to evaluate the efficacy of treatments. (C ) 2001 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.