Prevalence and risk factors of neuropathy in newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes in primary care practices: a retrospective database analysis in Germany and U.K.

AIMS

To estimate the prevalence and risk factors of diabetic neuropathy in newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes in general practices.

METHODS

Longitudinal data from nationwide general practices in Germany (n=630) and U.K. (n=100) (Disease Analyzer) were analyzed. Patients with newly diagnosed (<1 year) type 2 diabetes (2008-2012) were identified including 45,633 patients (age: 66, SD: 12 years) in Germany and 14,205 patients (age: 63, SD: 13 years) in U.K. Neuropathy was identified by ICD code (E11.4) or the original diagnosis. Associations of potential risk factors with neuropathy were investigated using logistic regression.

RESULTS

The prevalence of diagnosed neuropathy was 5.7% (95% CI: 5.5-5.9%) in Germany and 2.4% (1.9-2.9%) in U.K. In Germany, factors independently associated with neuropathy in stepwise logistic regression were age (>70 years: OR; 95% CI 2.1; 1.6-2.8), retinopathy (3.0; 2.1-4.2), peripheral artery disease (PAD: 1.9; 1.4-2.5), insulin treatment (4.6; 3.5-6.2) and oral antidiabetic drugs (OAD: 1.6; 1.2-2.0). In UK, male sex (1.4; 1.01-1.9), nephropathy (1.7; 1.2-2.5), PAD (1.5; 1.1-2.1), antihypertensives (1.7; 1.1-2.5), insulin (2.1; 1.1-3.8) and OAD (1.4; 1.01-1.8) were identified.

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of diabetic neuropathy at time of type 2 diabetes diagnosis was low in primary care (Germany, UK). Neuropathy was associated with age, PAD and microvacular complications.