Abstract

Objectives: to determine whether the pattern of peripheral neuropathy among Saudi types 2 diabetics has association with B12 status and glycemic control. Method: A cross section hospital based study. The pattern of diabetic neuropathy was determined by nerve conductive velocity (NCV) test, level of vitamin b12 was assayed among the study population and the glycemic control was determined according to Hba1c level. Results: A total of thirty three patients were enrolled in these study twenty one females and twelve males. The age ranged between 79 and 34 with the mean (SD) of 57 of these 17 (51.5%) used oral hypoglycemic agents and 16 (48.5%) were using insulin. HbAc1 more than 7 was found in 28 (84.8%) of the patients reflecting poor control. The nerve conduction study testing revealed that sensory axonal demyelination 6(18.2%), bilateral neuropathy 8 (24.2%), Right Carpal tunnel syndrome 5(15.2%), Left Carpal tunnel syndrome 0 (00%), mild axonal neuropathy 4 (12.1%) and 10 (30.3%) were found to have normal nerve conduction study test. The level of vitamin B12 was found 2(6%) was deficiency <180 pg/ml, 12(36.3%) possible deficiency 212 pg/ml-350 pg/ml and 19(57.5%) was >400 pg/ml. Conclusion: It could be concluded from this study that there is no association between pattern of peripheral neuropathy and B12 level in type II diabetics. Similarly no relation exists between Hb Ac1 level and pattern of peripheral neuropathy.