The relationship between plasma homocysteine levels and diabetic peripheral neuropathy / 中华内科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To explore the relationship between plasma homocysteine levels and diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPNP). Methods A crossectional analysis was conducted on 227 patients with type 2 diabetes. Peripheral neuropathy was confirmed using electromyography (EMG). The risk factors possibly associated with diabetic neuropathy or plasma homocysteine levels were analyzed in relation to likelihood of occurrence of DPNP. Results Eighty patients with neuropathy and 147 patients without neuropathy were included. Plasma homocysteine levels were significantly higher in patients with diabetic neuropathy [( 12. 6 ± 3.6 ) μmol/ L] than without diabetic neuropathy [( 8. 2 ± 0. 9 ) μmol/L] ( P ＜0. 001 ), and the relationship remained significant after adjusting for duration of diabetes, glycosylated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), age, renal status, serum folate acid and vitamin B12, and metformin [OR 1.15( 1.02-1.28 ) ,P ＜ 0. 05]. In addition, per increase of 4. 0 μmol/L plasma homocysteine was closely related to the occurrence of neuropathy after controlling for per unit increase of other confounding factors [OR 1.17(0. 94-1.33), P ＜ 0. 05]. Conclusions Hyperhomocysteinemia was an independent risk factor for the occourence of diabetic peripheral neuropathy.