Prevalence and risk factors of neuropathy in newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes in primary care practices: A retrospective database analysis in Germany and UK

AimsTo estimate the prevalence and risk factors of diabetic neuropathy in newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes in general practices.MethodsLongitudinal data from nationwide general practices in Germany (n = 630) and UK (n = 100) (Disease Analyzer) were analyzed. Patients with newly diagnosed (<1 year) type 2 diabetes (2008–2012) were identified including 45,633 patients (age: 66, SD: 12 years) in Germany and 14,205 patients (age: 63, SD: 13 years) in UK. Neuropathy was identified by ICD code (E11.4) or the original diagnosis. Associations of potential risk factors with neuropathy were investigated using logistic regression.ResultsThe prevalence of diagnosed neuropathy was 5.7% (95% CI: 5.5–5.9%) in Germany and 2.4% (1.9–2.9%) in UK. In Germany, factors independently associated with neuropathy in stepwise logistic regression were age (>70 years: OR; 95% CI 2.1; 1.6–2.8), retinopathy (3.0; 2.1–4.2), peripheral artery disease (PAD: 1.9; 1.4–2.5), insulin treatment (4.6; 3.5–6.2) and oral antidiabetic drugs (OAD: 1.6; 1.2–2.0). In UK, male sex (1.4; 1.01–1.9), nephropathy (1.7; 1.2–2.5), PAD (1.5; 1.1–2.1), antihypertensives (1.7; 1.1–2.5), insulin (2.1; 1.1–3.8) and OAD (1.4; 1.01–1.8) were identified.ConclusionsThe prevalence of diabetic neuropathy at time of type 2 diabetes diagnosis was low in primary care (Germany, UK). Neuropathy was associated with age, PAD and microvacular complications.