Relationship between Serum Uric Acid Levels and Nerve Conduction in Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy: A Cross-Sectional Study (Code-T0078)

Introduction: Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) is a common microvascular complication of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM), significantly affecting quality of life. Emerging evidence suggests a role of serum uric acid (SUA) levels in the pathogenesis of DPN through oxidative stress mechanisms. This study investigates the correlation between SUA levels and nerve conduction parameters in DPN patients.

Aims and Objectives: The aim is to assess SUA levels in T2DM patients with DPN and correlate these with nerve conduction parameters, including conduction velocity and action potential amplitude, across major sensory and motor nerves.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in a tertiary care hospital between October 2022 and April 2024, involving 70 patients with T2DM and confirmed DPN. SUA levels were measured and correlated with nerve conduction parameters obtained from standard motor and sensory nerve conduction studies. Data were analyzed using Spearman’s correlation and SPSS v26.

Results: SUA levels averaged 5.15 mg/dL, with hyperuricemia present in 10% of patients. Motor and sensory conduction velocities and amplitudes varied across nerves but showed no significant correlation with SUA levels (p>0.05). Findings suggest SUA levels alone may not reliably predict nerve conduction impairments in DPN patients.

Conclusion: While SUA levels may contribute to oxidative stress in DPN pathogenesis, this study found no direct correlation with nerve conduction parameters. Further longitudinal studies are needed to elucidate the mechanistic links.

Keywords: diabetic peripheral neuropathy, Type 2 diabetes mellitus, serum uric acid, nerve conduction study, oxidative stress, hyperuricemia.