The Effects of Peripheral Neuropathy on the Quality of Life of Individuals with Type 1 Diabetes

Introduction: Type 1 diabetes is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by the partial or complete destruction of the insulin-producing pancreatic beta cells. This study aimed to investigate and analyze the impact of peripheral neuropathy (PN) on the quality of life of patients with diabetes. Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was conducted on patients with type 1 diabetes from March 21, 2022. The patients were divided into two groups: those with PN and those without it. The presence or absence of PN was identified using the Michigan Neuropathy Screening Instrument (MNSI), and the quality of life was assessed by the WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS version 26.0. Of the Kolmogorov-Smirnov (K-S), independent t, Mann-Whitney, and one-way ANOVA tests were applied. A statistically significant level lower than 0.05 was deemed significant. Results: The study involved 30 patients (16 males and 14 females) with a mean age of 14.57±4.51 years. The mean body mass index (BMI) of all patients was 21.88±3.98. The average age of patients with PN was 14.57 ± 4.35 years, while for those without PN were 14.56 ± 4.78 years. In addition, the mean white blood cell (WBC) count in patients with PN was higher at 7.87 ± 1.63 compared to those without PN at 7.31 ± 2.06. The average red blood cell (RBC) count in patients with PN (5.12 ± 0.15) was approximately similar to those without PN (5.13 ± 0.14). Lastly, the mean platelet (Plt) count in patients with PN (270.93 ± 95.71) was lower than in those without PN (325.81 ± 80). Fourteen patients (46.7%) displayed symptoms of PN, including 10 female patients (71.4%) and 4 male patients (28.6%). Additionally, 16 patients (53.3%) did not exhibit PN, including 4 female patients (25%) and 12 male patients (75%). The mean age of patients with PN was 14.57±4.35 years, and it was 14.56±4.78 years in patients without PN (P>0.05). The mean HbA1c level in patients with PN was 5.84±0.30, and it was 5.95±0.48 in patients without it (P>0.05). Overall, there were no significant differences in these blood parameters between the two groups. The mean score of quality of life in patients with PN was 91.86±15.2 and it was 98.19±15.63 in patients without PN. Additionally, men (97.38±13.23) had a higher mean score than women (92.79±17.79) (P=0.011). The mean score of the social relationships domain in patients with PN (10.43±2.10) was significantly lower compared to patients without PN (10.50±2.56). In terms of physical health, patients with PN had a lower score (24.50±3.23) than patients without PN (28.13±4.47) (P=0.018). Similarly, in terms of mental state, patients with PN had a lower mean score (21.17±3.79) compared to patients without PN (25.00±3.48) (P=0.02). Additionally, the Overall quality of life scale for patients with PN (5.79±1.63), was lower than patients without PN (7.44±1.86) (P=0.016). Conclusion: This study found that increased HbA1c levels did not influence the severity of neuropathy in patients. However, it was observed that the severity of neuropathy had an inverse effect on the quality of life. Furthermore, women had a lower quality of life compared to men.