Abstract :
Background: Diabetes is worldwide one of most common cause of peripheral neuropathy(PN).Diabetes is associated with
high level of serum homocysteine level and prevalence of hyperhomocysteinem was strongly associated with diabetic
peripheral neuropathy in multiple logistic regression model that adjusted for factors that may influence homocysteine level
and neuropathy. Methods: This study was conducted in department of medicine GMC Srinagar. 207 type 2 diabetic
patients with clinical symptoms of peripheral neuropathy were enrolled in across sectional study after detail history and
relevant clinical examination. All base line biochemical investigation along with serum total homocysteine level were done
after confirmation of peripheral neuropathy by electro diagnostic test (NCS) nerve conduction study. Results: 207
consecutive patients were enrolled with. Mean age of patients was 60.92±6.01SD (41-80 years). Females 70%, NCV was
abnormal in 64 patients (30.9%), 55 axonopathy (85.9 %) and 9 with Demyelination (14.1%). Motor abnormalities n10
(15.6%), sensory n 38(59.3%), Mixed n 16 (25%). Mean age of patients with abnormal NCV was 61.86±8.03 years
significant (p value=0.0034). Female sex, urban population, and increased homocysteine levels was associated with
increased risk of NCS abnormalities p value of 0.001, 0.0001and 0.001 respectively the mean homocysteine level with
abnormal NCS was 23.22μmol/l and 13.28μmol/l in normal NCS. A higher homocysteine levels was associated with
increased risk of abnormal NCS (p value .000001). Conclusion: Elevated Homocysteine concentration was major risk
factor for development of neuropathy in diabetics though our study being a small scale hospital based study.
Keyword :
Homocysteine, Nerve condition velocity, Diabetes mellitus.