Clinical characteristics associated symptoms with neurological complication in type II diabetic patients measured by monofi lament test

Abstract

Objective The aim of this study is searching for clinical characteristics that associated with neurological complication among type II diabetic patients.

Methods A cross-sectional descriptive study among ambulatory type II diabetic patients was conducted at the Family Medicine Out-Patient Department, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, during September 2011 – January 2012. Clinical data were collected from questionnaires, electronic medical records, blood pressure measurement and physical examination. Monofi lament test was used in assessing the prevalence of neurological complication. Clinical data were then analyzed to fi nd the level of association with the neurological complication.

Results A total of 54 type II diabetic patients visiting the Family Medicine Out-Patient Department, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University were recruited. There were 29 cases showed impaired monofi lament test refl ecting a prevalence of 53.7%. Factors associated with this neurological complication were age older than 60 years (p =0.03); level of glycolysate protein (HbA1c) more than 7.0 (p =0.04) and foot deformity (p <0.001). There were 9 patients with the foot deformity, composing of 5 with hallux valgus and 4 with claw toes.

Conclusion More than half of the type II diabetic patients at the Family Medicine Out- Patient Department suffered from neurological complication measured by the monofi lament test. Old age, high level of HbA1c and foot deformity were the associated factors with the neurological complication. Physicians should be aware of the high prevalence and start detecting the neurological complication early to prevent foot deformity in future.