THE FREQUENCY OF SENSORY NEUROPATHY IN DIABETIC PATIENTS WITH FOOT ULCERS ADMITTED TO THE DEPARTMENT OF MEDICINE OF A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to determine the frequency of peripheral sensory neuropathy in diabetic patients with diabetic foot ulcers, admitted to the Department of Medicine, Khyber Teaching Hospital, Peshawar.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: This descriptive Cross-sectional study was conducted from 26/11/2019 to 26/5/2020, in the Department of Medicine, Khyber Teaching Hospital, Peshawar. Approximately 150 patients aged 14-70 years of both genders, suffering from Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes mellitus for at least 2 years, and fulfilling our inclusion criteria, were included. All diabetic patients with diabetic foot ulcers were examined for the presence or absence of sensory neuropathy, but nerve conduction studies confirmed the final diagnosis. All the information collected on proforma was analyzed.

 RESULTS: In our study, 21% of patients were in age 20-40 years, 37% of patients were in age 41-60 years, and 42% of patients were in age 61-70 years. Eighty-nine (59%) patients were male while 61 (41%) patients were female. Thirty-nine percent of patients had diabetes for 20 years or more. Approximately 25% of patients had sensory neuropathy.

CONCLUSION: The frequency of peripheral sensory neuropathy was present in 25% of our diabetic patients with diabetic foot ulcers.

KEYWORDS: Sensory neuropathy, Diabetes Mellitus, Diabetic foot ulcer.