Reducing HbA1c could lower risk of polyneuropathy in adults with type 2 diabetes
Source: Journal Diabetes Care Jul 19, 2018 6 years, 5 months, 2 hours, 13 minutes ago
Improving HbA1c levels could reduce the risk of diabetic
polyneuropathy among adults with type 2
diabetes, research suggests.
In a new Danish study, each 1% (11 mmol/mol) increase in HbA1c levels among adults with
type 2 diabetes during a 10-year period increased polyneuropathy risk by nearly 66%.
The new research used data from the ADDITION-Denmark study, with Aarhus University scientists looking to analyse the risk factors of polyneuropathy. Polyneuropathy develops when peripheral nerves are damaged in multiple parts of the body, such as affecting the feet on both sides of the body. Symptoms can include weakness,
numbness, and burning pain.
In a 13-year follow up of the trial, 452 people aged between 40-69 had various health factors measured including
HbA1c and
cholesterol. The health markers, which were measured at the start of the study and at six and 13 years, were then analysed to compare between those who developed polyneuropathy during follow-up and those who didn't.
While advanced age and
diabetes duration were among the greater risk factors for polyneuropathy, there was a significant risk association with higher baseline HbA1c and sharp HbA1c increases over a 10-year period.
"This study indicates that the rate of increase in HbA1c affects the development of [diabetic polyneuropathy] over and above the effects of the baseline level of HbA1c, even within ranges considered well-controlled," said the authors. "Higher baseline levels of HbA1c and higher obesity levels were associated with higher risk of [diabetic polyneuropathy]."
Signe Andersen, a doctoral fellow with the department of
public health at the Aarhus University in Denmark, said: "
Hyperglycemia is considered the most important risk factor for the development of diabetic polyneuropathy in type 1 diabetes.
"A more complex risk factor profile exists for [diabetic polyneuropathy] in type 2 diabetes, as intervention trials have failed to show a clear effect of enhancing glucose control on the risk of [diabetic polyneuropathy]."
Reference: Journal Diabetes Care
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