Anemia: an independent risk factor of diabetic peripheral neuropathy in type 2 diabetic patients

Recently, the association between anemia and diabetic microvascular complications has been studied. Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) is also a common complication of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), while the relationship between anemia and DPN is rarely investigated. The aim of this study is to evaluate the association between anemia and DPN in T2DM. In this cross-sectional study, 1134 T2DM inpatients were enrolled. The diagnosis of DPN was based on neuropathy system score (NSS) and neuropathy disability score (NDS). Logistic regression was conducted to analyze the association between anemia and DPN. The proportions of anemia in DPN and non-DPN group were 25.4 and 15.2%, respectively. Compared with non-anemia group, the proportions of moderate/severe NSS (42.7 vs. 24.5%, P < 0.001) and moderate/severe NDS (51.5 vs. 38.0%, P < 0.001) were higher while the nerve conduction velocity (NCV) was lower in anemia group. Univariate logistic regression analysis showed patients with anemia possessed an increased risk of DPN [OR = 1.906, 95%CI: 1.416, 2.567, P < 0.001]. Multivariate logistic regression analysis suggested anemia was an independent risk factor of DPN in model 1 and model 2 [model 1: OR = 1.472, 95%CI: 1.047, 2.070, P = 0.026; model 2: OR = 1.448, 95%CI: 1.013, 2.071, P = 0.043]. Anemia is an independent risk factor of DPN in T2DM patients.