Diabetes – Risk Factors for Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy and Cardiovascular Autonomic Neuropathy in the DCCT/EDIC Study

Risk Factors for Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy and Cardiovascular Autonomic Neuropathy in the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial/Epidemiology of Diabetes Interventions and Complications (DCCT/EDIC) Study

Objective

This study aimed to identify clinical and biochemical risk factors, independent of blood glucose levels, for diabetic peripheral neuropathy and cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy in the large, well-characterized DCCT/EDIC cohort of participants with type 1 diabetes that have been followed for over 23 years.

Conclusion

Results demonstrated that after poor glucose control, age, diabetes duration, height, and certain other phenotypic features increased risk for peripheral neuropathy, while higher risk for cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy was associated with age, poor glucose control, sustained albuminuria, diabetes duration, etc. These findings highlight risk factors and phenotypes of participants with diabetic neuropathy that can be used in the design of new interventional trials and for personalized approaches to neuropathy prevention.

Support

  • The DCCT/EDIC is supported by Division of Diabetes Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
  • National Eye Institute
  • National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
  • General Clinical Research Centers Program
  • Clinical Translational Science Center Program