PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND DIABETIC NEUROPATHIC PAIN IN TYPE 2 DIABETES

Abstract

Background: Diabetes mellitus T2DM is a leading health care challenge worldwide, and diabetic neuropathic pain (DNP) is one of the most common and severe complications of diabetes. Despite being a foundation of diabetes treatment, the relationship of physical activity with the painful axis of neuropathy is not well defined, and preliminary data are inconsistently reported. This study was conducted to assess the association of physical activity level and its pattern characteristics with the development of diabetic neuropathic pain in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients. The study was performed in the Ngoro Community Health Center (UPT Puskesmas), Mojokerto Regency, Indonesia, on patients registered in the Prolanis program for chronic disease management. We used a cross sectional observation design with patients with T2DM. Demographics, diabetes duration, profile of physical activity (type, frequency, duration) and the presence of DNP were obtained from structured interviews and standardized questionnaires. Additionally, a logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify predictors for DNP. There was good fit and high predictive ability of the statistical model. Duration of diabetes, type of physical activity, and frequency were significantly associated with increased odds of DNP. On the other hand older age, higher education level and more minutes of each physical activity session were negatively associated with DNP. Sex and a crude measure of total activity level did not make a significant contribution. Particular dimensions of physical activity, and not general aggregate categorization are associated with DNP. Patient-specific prescribed exercise regimens with exercise type, frequency, and duration are important in treating neuropathic pain in T2DM subjects. This research fills a significant gap by examining pain-specific outcomes and provides evidence that can be used to underpin more efficacious, non-pharmacological interventions of DNP in community health services.