Subclinical peripheral neuropathy in type 1 diabetic adolescents and its relationship with metabolic control

Abstract

Professional management of paediatric diabetology, according to consensus guidelines, involves the screening of microvascular complications at puberty. The subclinical form of peripheral neural dysfunction in diabetic teenagers is reported with a frequency of 50-88%, by different authors. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the frequency of subclinical distal neuropathy (DSMN) in type 1 diabetic paediatric patients during the second decade of life, and its relationship with metabolic control. The Endocrinology Department and the Neurology-Physiology Laboratory of the Paediatric Clinic in Belgrade carried out a longitudinal follow-up study (lasting 18 months, beginning in November 2000) on a selection of patients with poor metabolic control. During routine clinical treatment, patients were evaluated using the electrophysiological diagnostic method on peripheral neural dysfunction, a subclinical form of neuropathy. Metabolic control was manifested through HbA1c levels, measured every 3 months, using ion-exchange chromatography. Finally, here is the data collected from the clinical follow-up investigation of 60 children, aged 13-19 (median 15.5 +/- 2.2), with duration of diabetes from 2-16 years (median 6.3 +/- 3.6), and on the following therapies: 43 CT-conventional and 17 IIT-intensive, and insulin dose/ day, median 1.02 (0.6-2.1) U/kg. Detected DSMN parameters at the beginning and at the end of the study were also noted. DSMN frequency was positive, at 64% for HbA1c of 9.44; DSMN dysfunction was reversed in 5% of the patients, for HbA1c of 10.17; the worst result was the progression of DSMN at 6.7% for HbA1c of 10.52; 6.7% had negative DSMN, with improved metabolic control, for HbA1c of 8.4; 15% of the examinations were unfinished (+/*). ANOVA statistical analysis showed a significant statistical relationship between metabolic control (HbA1c levels) and DSMN neuropathy (sig. 0.043, p < 0.05). There was no significant relationship between the reversion of DSMN and improved HbA1c, although a numeric distinction did exist. On the clinical aspect, there was a significant relationship between insulin dosage and age (p < 0.01, sig. 0.007). This data demonstrates the influence of metabolic regulation on neuropathy. Better metabolic control can slow the progression of subclinical peripheral neural dysfunction (DSMN) in diabetic children.