Metformin Reduces the Risk of Diabetic Neuropathy Among Egyptian Type 2 Diabetic Patients: A Case-Control Study

Hicham, Yomne; Sayed, Rana; Besibes, Mona A.; Mahfouz, Amr A; El Wakeel, Lamia

doi:10.21608/aps.2023.250911.1145

Metformin Reduces the Risk of Diabetic Neuropathy Among Egyptian Type 2 Diabetic Patients: A Case-Control Study

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ain Shams University, Cairo 11566, Egypt.

² Department of Internal Medicine, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt.

³ Department of Internal Medicine, Endocrinology Department, National Institute of Diabetes and Endocrinology, Cairo, Egypt.

10.21608/aps.2023.250911.1145

Abstract

Aim: This study aimed to investigate the association of different patient factors on the occurrence of diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) among type 2 diabetes mellitus patients.
Methods: A case-control study was conducted on a total sample of 180 Egyptian type 2 diabetic patients. A full medical, medication, social, and family history was collected for the recruited sample. Glycated hemoglobin, lipid profile, and microalbuminuria were assessed.
Results: Among 180 patients recruited, 52 patients suffered from DPN. Low density-lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and total cholesterol (TC) were higher among patients suffering from DPN (p-value = 0.007 and 0.005, respectively). Metformin usage was the only factor that showed a significant decrease in the odds of developing DPN (odds ratio= 0.511, 95% confidence interval= 0.264- 0.911). Subgroup analysis showed that metformin decreased DPN among males rather than females (p-value = 0.006 vs 0.616, respectively).
Conclusion: Serum LDL-C and TC are both determinants for increased risk of DPN among type 2 diabetic patients. Metformin usage decreases DPN in a sex-specific dimorphic fashion where females are less liable to the protective effect of metformin against DPN.

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