Neuropathic Pain and its Association with the Severity Rate of Insomnia in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Abstract

Objective: to determine the association between neuropathic pain and the severity rate of insomnia in patients between 55 to 75 years with type 2 diabetes mellitus (dm2). Methods: analytical cross-sectional study. 309 patients with dm2 of the Family Medicine Unit (fmu) no. 75 of the Mexican Institute of Social Security (imss) participated in Nezahualcóyotl, State of Mexico. The Leeds Assessment of Neuropathic Symptoms and Signs (lanss) questionnaires were applied to assess the presence of neuropathic pain (monofilament) and the Insomnia Severity Index (isi) for assessment of the nature, severity and impact of insomnia. Results: neuropathic pain was detected in 50.8% of cases, in 36.9% it was associated with subclinical insomnia, while in 35.7% it was linked to clinical (moderate) insomnia; in patients who had neuropathic pain and glycemic disorder (50.2%), a mild and moderate degree of insomnia was detected (p<0.05). Conclusions: more than half of the patients with dm2, had neuropathic pain with some degree of insomnia. These findings are important to promote physical examination by monofilament and determine the quality of sleep of this population, in order to avoid multiple complications in the long term.