Socioeconomic deprivation independently predicts symptomatic Painful diabetic neuropathy in people with type 2 diabetes

Painful diabetic neuropathy has previously been observed in 20% of the population with type 2 diabetes in northwest England, and has also been independently associated with socioeconomic disadvantage in people with type 1 diabetes. In this community-based study, the authors sought to determine the association between painful neuropathy and socioeconomic deprivation in people with type 2 diabetes. Overall, 21% of the cohort had painful diabetic neuropathy requiring treatment. Each unit increase in Townsend deprivation index score was associated with a 6% increase in the risk of painful neuropathy, and neuropathy was also associated with age and BMI. The results support the previous findings in people with type 1 diabetes and suggest a need for targeted allocation of healthcare resources in areas of relative disadvantage.