Smartest Doc
The ε4 allele of the apoe gene is associated with more severe peripheral neuropathy in type 2 diabetic patients
Angiology, 08/02/2012
Monastiriotis C et al. – The ε4 carrier status appears to be associated with severe peripheral neuropathy in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).
Methods- Authros examined the association between the ε4 allele of the apolipoprotein E gene and severity of peripheral neuropathy in 234 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).
- Based on the Neuropathy Disability Score (NDS), patients were divided into group A (NDS ≤6: mild or no neuropathy) and group B (NDS >6: severe neuropathy).
- In each group, patients were further divided into ε4 carriers and non– ε4 carriers.
- In multivariate analysis, a more than 5–fold increased risk of severe neuropathy was associated with ε4 carrier status (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 5.26, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.24–12.31, P = .0001).
- The other significant risk factors for severe neuropathy included male gender (aOR: 2.08, 95% CI: 1.05–4.14, P = .036), diabetes duration (aOR: 1.05, 95% CI: 1.00–1.09, P = .039), and hemoglobin A1c (aOR: 1.32, 95% CI: 1.05–1.66, P = .020).