HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Correspondence: Submit a response Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when Correspondence are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Savettieri, G. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Savettieri, G.

Prevalence of diabetic neuropathy with somatic symptoms

A door-to-door survey in two Sicilian municipalities

Department of Neurology (Drs. Savettieri, Salemi, and Costa), University of Palermo; Italian Multicentre Study on Dementia, SMID Centre (Dr. Rocca), Florence; Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology (Dr. Meneghini), Fidia Research Laboratories, Abano Terme; Department of Statistical Sciences (Dr. Grigoletto), University of Padua; Department of Neurology (Drs. Morgante, Di Perri, and Coraci), University of Messina; and Department of Neurology (Dr. Reggio), University of Catania, Italy.

In a door-to-door survey conducted in two municipalities of Sicily, we ascertained the prevalence of diabetic neuropathy. Our case-finding was restricted to subjects with somatic symptoms. During phase 1, we administered a screening instrument for peripheral neuropathy to 14,540 persons residing in Santa Teresa di Riva (Messina Province) and Terrasini (Palermo Province). During phase 2, neurologists evaluated those subjects who had screened positive. Diagnoses were based on clinical criteria only, and were reviewed by an adjudication panel. We found 39 persons (27 women, 12 men) affected by diabetic neuropathy. The crude prevalence, as of November 1, 1987, was 268.2 cases per 100,000 population. The prevalence increased with advancing age for both sexes and was consistently higher in women. The most common type was distal symmetric polyneuropathy. The median time between diagnosis of diabetes mellitus and onset of diabetic neuropathy was 8 years, and almost all identified persons with diabetic neuropathy were under treatment for diabetes mellitus.

Address correspondence and reprint requests to Dr. G. Savettieri, Istituto di Neuropsichiatria, Università di Palermo, via G. La Loggia 1, 90129 Palermo, Italy.

Supported by the Assessorato alla Sanità della Regione Sicilia (grant no. 58/P) and by Fidia Research Laboratories, Abano Terme, Italy.

Presented in part at the 43rd annual meeting of the American Academy of Neurology, Boston, MA. April 1991.

Received August 3, 1992. Accepted for publication in final form October 13, 1992.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				M. Baldereschi, M. Inzitari, A. Di Carlo, G. Farchi, E. Scafato, D. Inzitari, and For The ILSA Working Group Epidemiology of distal symmetrical neuropathies in the Italian elderly Neurology, May 1, 2007; 68(18): 1460 - 1467. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. W. Mold, S. K. Vesely, B. A. Keyl, J. B. Schenk, and M. Roberts The Prevalence, Predictors, and Consequences of Peripheral Sensory Neuropathy in Older Patients J Am Board Fam Med, September 1, 2004; 17(5): 309 - 318. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				B. K. MacDonald, O. C. Cockerell, J. W. A. S. Sander, and S. D. Shorvon The incidence and lifetime prevalence of neurological disorders in a prospective community-based study in the UK Brain, April 1, 2000; 123(4): 665 - 676. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]