Peripheral neuropathy is associated with increased serum levels of uric acid in type 2 diabetes mellitus

Angiology. 2011 May;62(4):291-5. doi: 10.1177/0003319710394164. Epub 2011 Feb 8.

Abstract

We assessed serum uric acid (SUA) levels in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) with or without peripheral neuropathy (diagnosed by the Neuropathy Disability score [NDS]). We enrolled 64 patients with T2DM with peripheral neuropathy (group A: 31 men, mean age 63.0 ± 2.8 years) and 66 age-, gender-, renal function- and T2DM duration-matched patients without neuropathy (group B: 32 men, mean age 62.4 ± 3.1 years). Serum uric acid was significantly higher in group A (P < .001). There was a significant correlation between SUA and NDS in both groups (group A: r(s) = .93, P < .001; group B: r( s) = .95, P < .001). C-reactive protein (CRP) was also significantly higher in group A (P < .001) and correlated significantly with SUA in both groups (group A: r(s) = .93, P < .001; group B: r(s) = .87, P < .001). Serum uric acid is increased in patients with T2DM with neuropathy versus those without. Whether SUA is involved in the pathogenesis of T2DM peripheral neuropathy remains to be established.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • C-Reactive Protein / metabolism
  • Chi-Square Distribution
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / blood*
  • Diabetic Neuropathies / blood*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Kidney Function Tests
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Statistics, Nonparametric
  • Uric Acid / blood*

Substances

  • Uric Acid
  • C-Reactive Protein