More than 10% of the world’s population is living with diabetes (783 million people), 90% of them with type 2 diabetes. With this diagnosis comes a host of debilitating complications, including diabetic neuropathy, which affects approximately 50% of those with type 2 diabetes.
Neuropathy occurs when peripheral nerves become damaged or dysfunctional. This nerve damage can manifest in a variety of symptoms, including numbness, tingling, burning pain, and muscle weakness. It can lead to chronic pain, mobility issues, an increased risk of injuries due to reduced sensation, and significantly reduced quality of life. Currently, there is no effective treatment.
Researchers believe lowering lipid (fat) levels in the blood might help prevent neuropathy in individuals with diabetes, but the evidence so far has been unclear.
To begin investigating this strategy, Brian Callaghan, MD, MS, collaborated with a group of international investigators, primarily based in Denmark, to determine whether blood lipid levels are linked to neuropathy risk in patients with type 2 diabetes. They found that high levels of triglycerides, a type of lipid, in the blood is a strong risk factor for diabetic neuropathy.
“These findings confirm triglyceride levels as an important risk factor for diabetic neuropathy,” explained Dr. Callaghan. “The next step will be to study if lowering triglyceride levels is effective at preventing diabetic neuropathy. We are one step closer to giving hope to those affected by this debilitating condition.”
Paper cited: Kristensen FPB, Christensen DH, Callaghan BC, Nielsen JS, Højlund K, Andersen H, Dekkers OM, Groenwold RHH, Sørensen HT, Thomsen RW. Lipid Levels and Risk of Diabetic Polyneuropathy in 2 Danish Type 2 Diabetes Cohorts. Neurology. 2024 Jul 9;103(1):e209538. doi: 10.1212/WNL.0000000000209538. Epub 2024 Jun 4. PMID: 38833657.