Abstract Details

Title The Prevalence of Neuropathy in Seniors (>=65 Year Old) with and without Diabetes, a Population Study

Topic Peripheral Nerve

Presentation(s) (-)

Poster/Presentation
Number 010

Objective

Background Neuropathy is a debilitating and common disorder. By far, the most common cause of neuropathy is diabetes. The most common presentation of diabetic neuropathy is distal symmetrical polyneuropathy with symptoms of hyposthesia, paresthesia and dysesthesia. It is also believed that nerve damage with neuropathy contributes to refractory diabetic ulcers and wounds. The prevalence of neuropathy in diabetic patients is about 30%, and up to 50% of diabetic patients will eventually develop neuropathy. However, the prevalence of diabetic neuropathy in seniors is unclear.

Design/Methods This study is a two-year longitudinal cohort study. Data was collected from the Medicare Health Outcomes survey 2008-2010 Cohort 11. A total of 223,871 beneficiaries completed a baseline survey. Two-years later, 133,706 of 223,871 remained eligible at the time of follow-up. Of 133,706, 61,488 seniors (age >= 65) completed the survey on their own. Their answers to all four neuropathy related questions (Q16a-Q16d) at the baseline were analyzed.

Results Of 61,488 seniors, 12,884 (21%) reported diabetes, and 48,604 (79%) reported no diabetes. Compared to the seniors without diabetes, the seniors with diabetes complained more of hyposthesia (Q16a: 41.7% vs. 21.1%), paresthesia (Q16b: 43.4% vs. 23.1%), dysesthesia (Q16c: 23.9% vs. 9.8%) and refractory sores or wounds (Q16d: 6.6% vs. 2.8%). The prevalence of neuropathy (defined by any of hyposthesia, paresthesia, dysesthesia or refractory sores or wounds) with and without diabetes is 54.4% and 31.4%, respectively.

Conclusions The prevalence of neuropathy is significantly higher in seniors with diabetes. This may further implicate the importance of aggressive diabetes control to prevent this debilitating condition in the senior population.

Authors/Disclosures
Michelle Molina, MD PRESENTER	No disclosure on file
	No disclosure on file
Jin Li, MD, PhD, FAAN	Dr. Li has received personal compensation in the range of $5,000-$9,999 for serving on a Speakers Bureau for Abbvie. Dr. Li has a non-compensated relationship as a member, woman leadership committee with AAN that is relevant to AAN interests or activities.
Erica Selheimer, MD	No disclosure on file

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