Association between serum uric acid level and diabetic peripheral neuropathy (A case control study)

Abstract Background: The role of uric acid is well known for the development of nephropathy and retinopathy in diabetic patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the serum uric acid levels in patients with or without diabetic neuropathy (DPN). Methods: Forty-two patients with DPN (case group) and 42 patients without DPN (control group) matched with regard to age, gender, body mass index (BMI) and duration of their disease were entered into the study. The diagnosis of DPN was based on the nerve conduction studies on sural, peroneal and tibial nerves in lower limbs. Serum uric acid was measured in these two groups. Results: The mean age of the patients in the case group was 54.6±6.9 and in the control group was 55.8±5.8 years (p=0.389). The demographic characteristics of the patients in these two groups were equal, but only the history of diabetic foot ulcer was higher in patients with DPN (p<0.05). The mean serum uric acid was 4.70±0.96 in diabetic patients with DPN and 4.36±0.89 mg/dl in patients without DPN (p=0.019). Conclusion: The results show the higher level of serum uric acid level in diabetic patients with diabetic neuropathy. Further studies are required to determine the role of uric acid in the development and progression of DPN.