The Neurology of Diabetes Mellitus in Central Africa

Six-hundred African diabetic patients were examined; 31% had peripheral neuropathy and 2% autonomic neuropathy. They were older and had had diabetes longer (p less than 0.001) than those without neuropathy. Blood glucose control, based on HbA1 levels, was poorer (p less than 0.05) in patients with neuropathy. A control group of 469 non-diabetic Africans was also examined. They were age- and sex-matched with the diabetic patients aged 35 years or more. Seven per cent had evidence of peripheral neuropathy, significantly less (p less than 0.001) than the diabetic population. Impotence was commoner in diabetic men than controls, mainly in association with neuropathy and the use of hypotensive drugs.