Prevalence and characteristics of diabetic symmetric sensorimotor polyneuropathy in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes: The Japan Diabetes Complication and its Prevention Prospective study (JDCP study 10)

Abstract This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and characteristics of diabetic symmetric sensorimotor polyneuropathy (DSPN) in patients with type 2 diabetes registered in the Japan Diabetes Complication and its Prevention Prospective study. In the study, 6,338 patients with diabetes who had been treated by diabetes specialists were registered in 2007–2009. Of these, patients with type 2 diabetes who could be evaluated for DSPN were analyzed using the t‐test, χ2‐test and logistic regression analyses. DSPN was diagnosed using the Simple Diagnostic Criteria for Diabetic Polyneuropathy proposed by the Diabetic Neuropathy Study Group in Japan. Of the total participants, 5,451 patients (mean age 61.4 years, duration of diabetes 10.8 years) were analyzed. Based on the criteria, 35.8% of patients were diagnosed with DSPN. The prevalence of sensory symptoms was 25.8%. The following factors increased the risk for DSPN: age (odds ratio [OR] 1.57, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.42–1.73), duration of diabetes (OR 1.32, 95% CI 1.21–1.43), body mass index (OR 1.19, 95% CI 1.09–1.30), systolic blood pressure (OR 1.06, 95% CI 1.01–1.10), hemoglobin A1c (OR 1.15, 95% CI 1.09–1.22), biguanides (OR 1.22, 95% CI 1.06–1.39) and insulin therapy (OR 1.59, 95% CI 1.36–1.84). The following factors decreased the risk for DSPN: total cholesterol (OR 0.98, 95% CI 0.96–1.00) and exercise therapy (OR 0.85, 95% CI 0.73–0.98). The baseline survey clarified the prevalence and characteristics of DSPN in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes. The survey also showed the risk factors of DSPN