INFLUENCE OF DYSLIPIDEMIA ON SOMATIC NEUROPATHY IN TYPE 2 DIABETES MELLITUS

Introduction : Dyslipidemia is an established cardiovascular risk factor. But its influence on somatic neuropathy (PNP) in diabetes mellitus is not clear. Objective of the study : This study assessed the association between lipids and PNP in diabetes mellitus. Materials and Methods : 101 type 2 diabetics with recently done fasting lipid profile were included. Lipid profile included fasting total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol and triglycerides. Based on the neurological examination diabetics were divided into two groups: with PNP (n = 53) and without PNP (n = 48). Severity of PNP was quantified based on total scoring of all the definite clinical signs of PNP. 30 healthy subjects matched for age and sex with PNP group served as control. Statistical analysis was done with suitable statistical tests. Statistical significance was taken to be at p-value less than 0.05. Results: Mean total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL cholesterol of PNP group was significantly higher compared to non-diabetic control (p< 0.05; < 0.01; < 0.001 respectively). There was no significant difference in any of the lipids between with PNP and without PNP groups. Among the lipids, correlation was observed only between triglycerides and PNP severity score (r = 0.37, p < 0.01). Mean age and duration of diabetes of PNP group was significantly higher compared to without PNP group (p < 0.01; < 0.01 respectively). Conclusion: Dyslipidemia persists in type 2 diabetics. Hypertriglyceridemia is correlated with severity of PNP. Higher age and duration of diabetes are associated with PNP in type 2 diabetes.