Prevalence Of Peripheral Neuropathy Among Type-2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients In An Urban Community

Abstract

Introduction: The chronic nature of diabetes mellitus causes numerous debilitating complications thereby reducing the quality of life. Peripheral neuropathy is one of the most common complications of diabetes mellitus. Diabetes causes nerve damage through different mechanisms, including damage due to hyperglycemia and decreased blood flow to nerves by damaging small blood vessels supplying to the nerves (vasa nervorum). This nerve damage leads to loss of sensations such as vibration, pain and temperature which leads to damage to limbs (delayed, non-healing ulcers) and ultimately leads to lower limb amputations. Objectives: 1. To determine the prevalence of peripheral neuropathy among type-2 diabetes mellitus patients in an urban community. 2. To estimate vitamin B12 levels among diabetes peripheral neuropathy patients.