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.

Abstract

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.