TITLE:
Diabetic Polyneuropathy and Associated Factors in a Population of Type 2 Diabetic Patients in Garoua, Cameroon
AUTHORS:
Astasselbe Abba Hadja Inna, Arthur Moses Lombat Ngwet, Paulette Djeugoue, Balkissou Adamou Dodo, Josiane Mare Njoya, Ali Abas, Almamy Aboubakar Djalloh, Aminou Sambo, Mohamadou Abdou Galdima, Fadimatou Altine, Amadou Ibrahima, Eugène Sobngwi
KEYWORDS:
Type 2 Diabetes, Diabetic Polyneuropathy, Associated Factors, Cameroon
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Diabetes Mellitus,
Vol.15 No.3,
July
31,
2025
ABSTRACT: Introduction: Diabetic polyneuropathy (DPN) is the most common complication of diabetes, affecting nearly half of patients with type 2 diabetes. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and factors associated to DPN. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study from January to May 2024 at the Garoua Regional Hospital (GRH) and the Garoua General Hospital (HGG), involving type 2 diabetic patients. The DN-4 questionnaire, a screening tool for diabetic polyneuropathy comprising 10 items, was used as a diagnostic tool. The diagnosis was established based on a score ≥ 4. A logistic regression model was used to identify factors associated to DPN. The significance level was set at 5%. Results: Among the 203 patients included in the study, with a median (IQR) age of 56 (48 - 63) years, 68.5% were female. The median (IQR) duration of diabetes was 5 (2 - 9) years, with a median (IQR) glycated hemoglobin level of 8.80% (7.50% - 10.6%). Dyslipidemia was the most common additional cardiovascular risk factor (65.35%). The prevalence (95% CI) of painful diabetic neuropathy was 45.81% (38.82% - 52.96%). The main associated factors [aOR (95% CI), p] were female sex [3.65 (1.62 - 8.23), p = 0.037], age ≥ 60 years [4.57, (2.11 - 9.86), (p = 0.048)], diabetes duration ≥ 10 years [2.93. (1.16 - 7.45), (p = 0.006)], glycated hemoglobin level ≥ 7% [3.99, (1.25 - 5.72), (p = 0.043)] and chronic kidney disease [4.79, (2.22 - 7.54), (p = 0.009)]. Conclusion: The high prevalence of diabetic polyneuropathy and its multiple associated factors highlight a major challenge in its prevention, particularly through optimal glycaemic control, in order to improve patients’ quality of life.