Scientists from the Michigan Medicine NeuroNetwork for Emerging Therapies took measurements of nearly 200 patients and found that central obesity, defined as waist circumference around the abdomen, had the highest association with neuropathy, or nerve damage.
While multiple studies show that diabetes and obesity are the most consistent metabolic factors associated with neuropathy, this work indicated the importance of where fat was stored in the body. Additionally, this study identified high blood pressure and high fat levels in the blood as risk factors for neuropathy.
Dr. Brian Callaghan, the Fovette E. Dush Associate Professor of Neurology, was the study’s lead author. He explains the findings, their implications for patient care and future research in this video from Mayo Clinic Proceedings.
Brian Callaghan, MD, MS
Evan Reynolds, PhD
