Background/Aim. The prevalence of diabetes mellitus in
general population is constantly increasing. On the other
hand, the number of diabetic patients with neuropathic pain
is large. The aim of the study was to examine influence of
neuropathic pain on quality of life (QoL) in patients with
diabetic sensorimotor polyneuropathy (DSPN) who did not
have any other diabetic complication or any other significant comorbidity. Methods. A total of 32 patients with
DSPN and definitive neuropathic pain were compared with
32 patients with DSPN without neuropathic pain. The respondents were matched according to age, gender, and duration of illness. The following scales were used: the Pain
Detect Questionnaire, Leeds Assessment of Neuropathic
Symptoms and Signs, Douleur Neuropathique EN 4 Questions,
Hamilton depression and anxiety rating scales, Neuropathy
Impairment Score of the Lower Limb (NIS-LL), and the
Short Form 36 Health Survey Questionnaire (SF-36). Results. Patients with neuropathic pain had significantly more
severe DSPN measured with NIS-LL (p < 0.01). They were
more likely to be engaged in physical work (p < 0.05), and
had more symptoms of depression (p < 0.05) than patients
without neuropathic pain. Patients with neuropathic pain
had significantly lower QoL in both physical and mental
domains (p < 0.01). Independent predictors of worse QoL
in DSPN were presence of depression (beta=-0.58, p <
0.01) and presence of neuropathic pain (beta = -0.23, p <
0.05) – R2
adjusted = 0.48. Conclusion. Independent predictors
of QoL in patients with DSPN were presence of depression
and neuropathic pain, which signifies importance of their
early recognition and early treatment.
