Determination of Peripheral Neuropathy Prevalence and Associated Factors in Chinese Subjects with Diabetes and Pre-Diabetes – ShangHai Diabetic neuRopathy Epidemiology and Molecular Genetics Study (SH-DREAMS)

Abstract

Objective

This study determined the prevalence and factors associated with peripheral neuropathy (PN) in subjects with diabetes mellitus, impaired glucose regulation (IGR), and normal glucose tolerance (NGT) in a community-based Chinese population.

Research Design and Methods

A total of 2035 subjects in Shanghai were classified as having NGT, IGR, or diabetes. All subjects underwent complete foot examination. PN was assessed according to the neuropathy symptom and neuropathy disability scores. Binary logistic regression was performed to analyze the contributions of factors to PN.

Results

The prevalence of PN was 8.4%, 2.8%, and 1.5% in diabetes mellitus, IGR, and NGT subjects, respectively (P<0.05 for diabetes vs. NGT, and IGR). The subjects with known diabetes had the highest frequency of PN (13.1%). Among the subjects without diabetes, those with PN were older, had a higher waist circumference and 2-h postprandial plasma glucose levels, and were more likely to be hypertensive. Among the IGR subjects, other than age, the 2-h postprandial plasma glucose level was an independent factor significantly associated with PN. Meanwhile, among the subjects with diabetes, PN was associated with fasting plasma glucose, duration of diabetes, and decreased estimated glomerular filtration rate.

Conclusions

The prevalence of PN is slightly higher in individuals with IGR than that in individuals with NGT, but small fibre damage in IGR as the earliest nerve fibre deficit may be underestimated in our study. As an independent risk factor, postprandial plasma glucose level may be an important target for strategies to prevent or improve PN in IGR subjects.

About the Authors:

Bin Lu

Contributed equally to this work with: Bin Lu, Ji Hu

Affiliation: Department of Endocrinology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China

Ji Hu

Contributed equally to this work with: Bin Lu, Ji Hu

Affiliation: Department of Endocrinology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Jiangsu, China

Jian Wen

Affiliation: Department of Endocrinology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Jiangsu, China

Zhaoyun Zhang

Affiliation: Department of Endocrinology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China

Linuo Zhou

Affiliation: Department of Endocrinology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China

Yiming Li

* E-mail: [email protected]

Affiliations Department of Endocrinology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China, Department of Endocrinology, Jing’An District Centre Hospital of Shanghai, Shanghai, China

Renming Hu

Affiliation: Department of Endocrinology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China

Introduction

Diabetes is a leading public health problem in China and imposes heavy economic burdens on Chinese patients [1]. An estimated 92 million people in China have type 2 diabetes, which is the largest number worldwide.

Microvascular and macrovascular complications are the leading causes of diabetes-associated morbidity and mortality. Our previous study revealed that up to 61.8% of patients diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in downtown Shanghai have peripheral neuropathy (PN) according to the evaluation of vibration perception threshold and 10-g Semmes–Weinstein monofilament [2]. However, there are limited data concerning the prevalence of neuropathies in the pre-diabetes population, especially in Han Chinese.

In China, a study on the She ethnic minority group revealed the prevalence of polyneuropathy in impaired fasting glucose (IFG), impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), IFG/IGT, and diabetes mellitus (DM) to be 16.1%, 13.1%, 18.6%, and 28.4% respectively, which are greater than that in patients with normal glucose tolerance (NGT) [3]. A study on a Western population revealed that the prevalence of neuropathic pain was 13.3%, 8.7%, 4.2%, and 1.2% in normal subjects and subjects with diabetes, IGT, and IFG, respectively [4]. In the same cohort, the overall neuropathy risk was evaluated using the Michigan Neuropathy Screening Instrument; neuropathy was present in 28%, 13%, 11.3%, and 7.4% of diabetes, IGT, IFG, and control subjects, respectively [5]. All of the studies mentioned above indicate that the prevalence of polyneuropathy is slightly higher in individuals with IGT and IFG than that in individuals with NGT. However, some studies indicate that IGT may be not associated with peripheral nerve dysfunction [6].

Several recent studies report an association between IGT and PN [7], [8]. The observation of a high prevalence of IGT in idiopathic neuropathy is nearly uniform. Of the patients with clinically confirmed, cryptogenic, predominantly sensory neuropathy, 56% have abnormal oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) results, with 36% and 20% having IGT and diabetes, respectively. These percentages are 2- to 3-fold greater than that reported in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) III study, which reports an IGT prevalence of 15.8% among 2844 participants aged 40–74 years. Small studies evaluating nerve function describe abnormal nerve conduction study results [9], sympathetic skin responses [10], and laser Doppler flare [11]. Although IGT-associated neuropathy has been confirmed, it may be milder than that associated with diabetes [12], [13].

Significant differences in risk factors associated with the onset or progression of neuropathy may exist among various populations. Despite this, few studies have been performed to distinguish the risk factors for PN among various glucose metabolisms in Asian races, especially in the Han Chinese population.

Therefore, the present study assessed the prevalence of PN and its associated differential risk factors in individuals with diabetes and pre-diabetes in a Han Chinese cohort.

Research Design and Methods

Study Population

One of the purposes of the Shanghai diabetic neuropathy epidemiology and molecular genetics study (SH-DREAMS) was to evaluate PN in Han Chinese subjects with diabetes and pre-diabetes. All nonpregnant community members aged >25 years without type 1 diabetes or renal failure were invited to participate, and a total of 2149 voluntary individuals aged >25 years were enrolled from 2 communities: Gongkang and Sitang. Diabetes and pre-diabetes were diagnosed according to the OGTT. Among the analyzed population (n = 2035), 534 and 1043 subjects were diagnosed with diabetes and impaired glucose regulation (IGR), respectively. All individuals were recruited in the SH-DREAMS from July 2011 to May 2012. Written informed consent was obtained from all participants. All protocols were approved by Huashan Hospital ethics committee.

Anthropometric Measurements

All participants were asked to fill out a questionnaire to collect their demographic information as well as medical history of diabetes and related diseases. Physical examination included measurement of height, weight, waist circumference, hip circumference, and blood pressure. Blood pressure was measured thrice using a standard mercury sphygmomanometer and then averaged. Hypertension was defined as systolic blood pressure ≥140 mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure ≥90 mmHg (WHO 1999) [14] or as current use of blood pressure-lowering medication. BMI was calculated as weight divided by height squared (kg/m2). Obesity was defined as BMI ≥30 kg/m2 (WHO 1997) [15]. The waist-to-hip ratio was calculated as the ratio of the waist circumference to the hip circumference. Other information such as living habits was also collected.

Laboratory Measurements

After a fasting venous blood sample was collected, each participant received a 75-g OGTT, except for those with a validated history of DM with 100 g steamed bread meal test. 100 g steamed bread meal test, though not a standard test in diabetes research or care, can avoid severe glucose fluctuation in those with a validated history of DM. Plasma glucose levels were measured using the glucose oxidase method. Levels of glycated hemoglobin (HbA1C) were estimated by high-pressure liquid chromatography using an analyzer (HLC-723G7, Tosoh Corporation, Japan). Levels of serum urea nitrogen, creatinine, and uric acid as well as lipid profiles including measurements of total cholesterol, triacylglycerol, HDL-cholesterol, and LDL-cholesterol were measured on a Hitachi 7600 analyzer using an enzymatic assay. Urinary albumin was measured by immunonephelometry. The urinary creatinine concentration was measured on a Hitachi 7600 analyzer using an enzymatic assay.

Definitions

Diabetes and IGR were diagnosed according to the standards set by the American Diabetes Association (ADA) in 2012 [16]. IGR is now designated as “increased risk for diabetes,” and it can be defined as fasting plasma glucose (5.6–6.9 mmol/L), 2-h postprandial glucose level in the 75-g OGTT (7.8–11.0 mmol/L), and/or HbA1C level (5.7%–6.4%).

PN Screening and Assessment

Neuropathy Deficit Score (NDS): Neuropathic deficits in the feet were determined using the NDS, derived from the examination of vibration (using a 128-Hz tuning fork), pin-prick sensation (using Neurotip), temperature sensation (using warm and cool rods), and Achilles tendon reflex (using a tendon hammer). The 3 perceptions were scored 0 if present and normal, and 1 if absent, reduced, or uncertain. On either side, the ankle reflex was scored 0 if present and normal, and 2 if absent [17]. The maximum score was 10. The severity of neuropathy disability was graded as follows: mild (scores: 3–5), moderate (scores: 6–8), and severe (scores: 9–10).

Neuropathy Symptom Score (NSS): All patients were asked whether they experienced pain or discomfort in their legs. A description of burning, numbness, or tingling was assigned a score of 2, and fatigue, cramping, or aching was assigned a score of 1. If the patient described the symptoms as occurring in their feet, calves, and elsewhere, scores of 2, 1, and 0 were assigned, respectively. Nocturnal exacerbation of symptoms was scored as 2; exacerbation of symptoms during the day as well as night was scored as 1, and exacerbation of symptoms during the daytime alone was scored as 0. If the symptoms had ever woken the patient from sleep, a score of 1 was assigned. The patients were asked if any maneuver could reduce their symptoms; walking was assigned a score of 2, standing 1, and sitting or lying down 0. Thus, the maximum symptom score was 9, and the severity of symptoms was graded as follows: mild (scores: 3–4), moderate (scores: 5–6), and severe (scores: 7–9) [18].

The diagnosis of PN depends on both subjective symptoms and signs of neuropathy. We defined PN as at least moderate signs with or without symptoms (NDS ≥6), or mild signs with moderate symptoms (NDS ≥3 and NSS ≥5) [17], [19].

Statistical Analysis

All statistical analyses were performed using SPSS software version 16.0. Normally distributed and continuous variables are expressed as mean ± standard deviation, and non-normally distributed variables are presented as medians (25% and 75% quartiles). To assess the differences among NGT, IGR, and diabetes with respect to quantitative data, 1-way ANOVA with SNK analysis was used. The Kruskal–Wallis H or χ2 test was used for comparisons involving non-normally distributed data. Binary logistic regression was performed to analyze the contributions of the risk factors to the presence of PN. Odds ratios (ORs) and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated based on the logistic regression models and used to examine the association between PN and associated factors. The OR corresponds to a 1 unit change in categorical factors associated with PN. A positive or negative association is indicated if the OR is significantly (p<0.05) larger or smaller than 1, respectively. A 2-tailed P-value less than 0.05 was considered significant.

Results

Subject Characteristics

There were a total of 2035 subjects, including 728 men and 1307 women, with an average age of 61.5±10.1 years. These subjects were classified on the basis of the results from the 75-g OGTT according to the recent ADA criterion as follows: NGT, n = 458; IGR, n = 1043; and diabetes, n = 534. A total of 26.2% of subjects had type 2 diabetes, and 54.5% of them had known diabetes before they were tested. The subjects with newly diagnosed diabetes were younger than those with known diabetes (62.9±9.4 vs. 65.0±10.2 years) and had higher frequencies of microalbuminuria (31.4% vs. 23.0%) and macroalbuminuria (6.7% vs. 1.3%) and lower HbA1C levels (median, 6.5% vs. 7.1%).

The percentages of current smokers were similar among subjects with NGT (14.8%), IGR (13.0%), and diabetes (15.4%) (Table 1). Age, BMI, waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, and levels of HbA1C, total cholesterol, triglycerides, serum creatinine, and uric acid were significantly higher in the diabetes and IGR subjects than that in the NGT subjects. Systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and LDL-cholesterol were significantly higher among the diabetes subjects than that in the NGT subjects. Albuminuria and hypertension were much more prevalent in diabetes subjects than that in NGT subjects. HDL-cholesterol and the evaluated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) were significantly lower in the diabetes and IGR subjects than that in the NGT subjects.

[Figure omitted. See PDF.]

Table 1. Clinical characteristics of study population by group of normal glucose tolerance (NGT),impaired glucose regulation(IGR) and diabetes.

https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0061053.t001

In diabetic patients, compared to subjects without PN (Table 2), subjects with PN were older, had higher HbA1C levels, and had macroalbuminuria more often (18.2% vs. 3.0%, P<0.05). Among the subjects without diabetes, those with PN were older, had a higher waist circumference and 2-h postprandial plasma glucose levels, and were more likely to be hypertensive, especially with respect to systolic blood pressure (133.1±22.7 vs. 125.5±18.6 mmHg, P<0.05).

[Figure omitted. See PDF.]

Table 2. Basic features of subjects with and without peripheral neuropathy.

https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0061053.t002

PN Prevalence

As shown in Table 3, 4.0% of the 2035 participants were diagnosed with PN. The prevalence of PN in diabetes, IGR, and NGT subjects was 8.4%, 2.8%, and 1.5%, respectively; the prevalence of PN in subjects with diabetes was significantly greater than that in IGR and NGT subjects, although there was no significant difference between IGR and NGT subjects (χ2∶ 2.131, P = 0.199). The subjects with known diabetes had the highest frequency of PN (13.1%).

[Figure omitted. See PDF.]

Table 3. The prevalence of PN in diabetes and impaired glucose regulation.

https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0061053.t003

[Figure omitted. See PDF.]

Table 4. Multiple logistic regression analysis using PN as a dependent variable among the NGT, IGR and DM subjects.

https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0061053.t004

The prevalence of PN increased with age (<50 years: 1.0%, 50–59 years: 1.3%, 60–69 years: 2.8%, and ≥70 years: 11.3%), diabetes duration (0 years: 2.5%, <5 years: 9.3%, 5–9 years: 11.9%, and ≥10 years: 18.9%), and increasing HbA1C levels (HbA1C levels <5.6%: 2.6%, HbA1C levels = 5.6%–6.5%: 3.2%, HbA1C levels = 6.5%–8.0%: 7.5%, and HbA1C levels ≥8.0%: 11.2%).

Risk Factors for PN

The univariate regression models including the entire study population revealed significant differences between those with and without PN with respect to the following variables: age, odds ratio (OR) 1.100 (95% CI: 1.075–1.125); duration of diabetes, OR 1.134 (95% CI: 1.101–1.169); waist circumference, OR 1.045 (95% CI: 1.024–1.067); systolic blood pressure, OR 1.020 (95% CI: 1.010–1.030); hypertension, OR 2.159 (95% CI: 1.343–3.471); fasting plasma glucose, OR 1.192 (95% CI: 1.108–1.283); HbA1C levels, OR 1.422 (95% CI: 1.245–1.623); HDL-cholesterol, OR 0.455 (95% CI: 0.209–0.990); urinary ACR, OR 2.634 (95% CI: 1.846–3.757) and eGFR, OR 0.949 (95% CI: 0.934–0.965). There were no significant differences with respect to the female gender, current smoking status, diastolic blood pressure, dyslipidemia, and levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL-cholesterol, and HDL-cholesterol.

The final multivariate logistic regression models included age, the female gender, current smoking status, waist circumference, hypertension, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, dyslipidemia, and levels of total cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, fasting plasma glucose, 2-h postprandial plasma glucose, HbA1C, urinary ACR, eGFR, and duration of diabetes among the NGT, IGR, and diabetes subjects. The independent variables remaining in the final multiple logistic regression models with PN as the dependent variable are listed in Table 4. Among the IGR subjects, independent associations with PN were noted for age and 2-h postprandial plasma glucose levels (both P<0.05). Among the diabetes subjects, independent associations with PN were noted for fasting plasma glucose, duration of diabetes, and eGFR (all P<0.05); age was not significantly associated with PN (P = 0.110).

Discussion

Many studies indicate that the prevalence of IGT is up to 40%–50% in idiopathic neuropathy patients [7], [8], [12]. This contrasts to a prevalence of approximately 15% in a similarly aged population [20]. An increased prevalence of IGR among subjects with idiopathic neuropathy suggests that PN is a continuous lesion and is present in some proportion of hyperglycemia patients.

The present results demonstrate that in the general Chinese population, the prevalence of PN is slightly higher in people with IGR than that in people with NGT. Similar to the study of Ziegler et al. [5], the present study does not corroborate the results of some previous studies indicating that IGR is associated with an increased prevalence of polyneuropathy [21], [22]. The marked variation in the prevalence of PN in IGR subjects might be due to many reasons. First, the present study indicates the prevalence of PN is relatively lower in NGT and IGT subjects; therefore, the relatively small sample size might be one of the reasons for the observed variation. Second, the disparate methods used to assess neuropathy might be another reason. Neural impairment in IGT subjects may be mainly subclinical, asymptomatic, and characterized by small-fiber neuropathy and mild impairment of cardiovascular autonomic function [12], [23]. If methods that predominantly detect large-fiber dysfunction are used, the subtle changes present in IGT may not be observed. In our study, definition of neuropathy is based on the modified NDS and the NSS, which is the lack of a rigorous assessment of small fibre damage. So this might explain the differences with other studies depending on the PN definition. Although methodological differences in the assessment of neuropathy make comparisons difficult, a previous study reports that NSS/NDS and NCV are concordant in the Chinese population [24]. In addition, the methods used in the present study were simple, convenient, and generally accepted in epidemiological studies. Finally, the study design, ethnic differences, and the age and sex structure of the study population itself might have contributed to the variation. For example, the prevalence of polyneuropathy in individuals with IGR and DM in the She ethnic minority group in China is higher than that in subjects with NGT [3].

The present results indicate that age and 2-h postprandial glucose levels are independently associated with PN in IGR subjects. It is conceivable that advanced age may contribute to the higher prevalence of PN in individuals with IGT than that in individuals with NGT, because age was associated with PN in the entire study population.

Furthermore, we showed for the first time that the 2-h postprandial glucose level is an independent risk factor for PN in Chinese subjects with IGR. The prevalence of polyneuropathy in individuals with IFG is marginally lower than that in those with IGT in the studies of Ziegler et al. [4], [5], considering that the 2-h postprandial glucose levels appear to be more closely associated with PN risk than the fasting glucose levels. Postprandial glucose levels may be involved in the pathogenesis of PN in IGR subjects [25], [26].

Neuropathy in IGT and diabetes seems to share similar pathogenetic mechanisms. Injury to small blood vessels leading to nerve ischemia, direct nerve toxicity due to episodic hyperglycemia and insulinopenia, increased oxidative stress, advanced glycation end-product accumulation, and impaired axonal transport all play a role in the pathogenesis of the neuropathy in IGT [27]. Hyperglycemia creates a proinflammatory microenvironment, and inflammatory processes and biomarkers of inflammation contribute to PN [28].In addition, deficits in neurotrophic factors such as nerve growth factor and changes in the secretion of neuroeffector peptides such as substance P and calcitonin gene-related peptide can be responsible for neuropathy.

The present study shows that subjects with PN had a higher waist circumference than those without PN among the subjects without diabetes. However, waist circumference was not an independent risk factor for PN in subjects with either IGR or diabetes according to the logistic regression analysis. Among the 1172 type 1 diabetes subjects without baseline neuropathy followed in the Eurodiab study, hypertension, smoking, obesity, and serum triglyceride levels were independent risk factors for neuropathy [29]. Furthermore, several small studies link obesity and idiopathic neuropathy. In another study, among 58 morbidly obese subjects, there was evidence of small fiber axonal dysfunction irrespective of the presence of diabetes and despite the fact that all but 4 subjects were asymptomatic [30]. Another small study of 20 obese subjects without diabetes and 20 age-matched control subjects demonstrates abnormal compound muscle and sensory nerve action potential amplitudes as well as abnormal sensory thresholds. However, many studies do not report any associations between BMI or weight and the prevalence of polyneuropathy in diabetes patients [31], [32]. In the Australian Diabetes Obesity and Life-style (AusDiab) study [33] on type 2 diabetes patients, neither BMI nor waist circumference was identified as a risk factor for polyneuropathy in the univariate analyses. Whether central obesity is a harbinger of polyneuropathy can only be determined by prospective studies involving subjects with diabetes and IGR.

The prevalence of DPN in the diabetes population in the present study was 8.4%, which is lower than that reported in any other population [29], [34]. The main reason for this is that 47% of the patients with diabetes in our study were newly diagnosed; the prevalence of DPN among them was only 2.9%. Diabetes patients, especially those with KDM, had the highest prevalence of DPN (13.1%) among all groups. Many previous studies on DPN report a wide range of prevalence estimates, from 7.8%–61.8% in different populations with type 2 DM [2], [29], [34]–[35]. The marked variation in the prevalence of neuropathy in the present study might be due to the diagnostic criteria of neuropathy, study design, sample selection, ethnicity, year when the study was conducted, and the age and sex structure of the study population itself.

The results of the present study corroborate the previously reported association between PN and glycemic control [2], [36]. As shown in the multivariate regression analysis (Table 4), the fasting plasma glucose level was an important independent risk factor for PN with an OR of 1.240 (95% CI, 1.016–1.515). UKPDS and DCCT confirm that long-term hyperglycemia can cause and accelerate chronic diabetes complications including PN and that intensive blood glucose control can decrease the incidence of PN by 40%. Early detection of PN in IGR and DM subjects is particularly important, and early glucose control will remarkably prevent or improve PN. The present results demonstrate that decreased eGFR is associated with PN, similar to the study of Kong et al. [37].

In contrast to some other studies, an important methodological strength of the present study is the use of the OGTT, similar with the KORA studies by Ziegler. This enabled us to study the entire spectrum of glucose disorders by identifying subjects with undiagnosed diabetes and pre-diabetes. Additionally, in the present study, many neurologic bedside tests, facilitating a relatively accurate definition of clinical PN, were used. Meanwhile, the major limitation of the present study is the criteria used to define neuropathy or in particular nerve damage. The NDS and NSS score is the lack of a rigorous assessment of small fibre damage which is thought to be the earliest nerve fibre deficit and the one likely to occur in IGR. The other limitation of the present study is that no inferences regarding cause and effect can be made because of the cross-sectional design.

Conclusions

The present study was based on a large, community-based population of Han Chinese people and used well-accepted screening methods. The results show that the prevalence of PN in NGT, IGR, and DM subjects was 1.5%, 2.8%, and 8.4% respectively. The prevalence of PN is slightly higher in individuals with IGR than that in individuals with NGT, but small fibre damage in IGR as the earliest nerve fibre deficit may be underestimated in our study.The risk factors for PN in IGR subjects include age and postprandial glucose level, suggesting that the postprandial plasma glucose level is an important target for preventing or improving PN in IGR subjects.

Acknowledgments

The authors extend appreciation to the participants of the SH-DREAM study. Without their collaboration, this article would not have been written. The authors also thank the SH-DREAM study team involved in patient recruitment and sample and data handling.

Disclaimer

This study had been presented (Poster) in the 48th EASD annual meeting.

Author Contributions

Researched data and wrote the manuscript: BL JH. Researched data and contributed to discussion: JW. Contributed to discussion: ZYZ LNZ. Wrote, reviewed, and edited the manuscript: YML RMH. Conceived and designed the experiments: BL JH YML RMH. Performed the experiments: BL JH JW ZYZ LNZ YML RMH. Analyzed the data: BL JH.

Citation: Lu B, Hu J, Wen J, Zhang Z, Zhou L, Li Y, et al. (2013) Determination of Peripheral Neuropathy Prevalence and Associated Factors in Chinese Subjects with Diabetes and Pre-Diabetes – ShangHai Diabetic neuRopathy Epidemiology and Molecular Genetics Study (SH-DREAMS). PLoS ONE 8(4): e61053. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0061053

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