Prevalence of Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy among Type-2 Diabetics in an Urban Slum of Bangalore, India

Background: Community-level data on diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) in underserved urban slums are limited. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of DPN and identify associated factors among adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from August 2022 to January 2024 among 300 adults aged ≥35 years with T2DM (≥2 years duration) in an urban slum of Bengaluru. Participants were selected by convenience sampling. Data on socio-demographic, clinical, and lifestyle variables were collected using a semi-structured questionnaire. DPN was assessed using the Michigan Neuropathy Screening Instrument. Multivariate logistic regression identified independent predictors; adjusted odds ratios (AOR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were reported. Results: The prevalence of DPN was 18.7% (56/300). Independent predictors included age ≥60 years (AOR=2.87; 95% CI: 1.58–5.22; p<0.001), illiteracy (AOR=2.34; 95% CI: 1.28-4.27; p=0.006), sedentary occupation (AOR=2.19; 95% CI: 1.12-4.27; p=0.022), diabetes duration ≥10 years (AOR=2.61; 95% CI: 1.12-6.07; p=0.026), and hypertension (AOR=1.87; 95% CI: 1.01–3.44; p=0.046). Gender, body mass index, tobacco, and alcohol use were not significant after adjustment. Conclusion: Nearly one-fifth of adults with T2DM had DPN. Older age, low educational status, sedentary work, longer diabetes duration, and hypertension are key correlates, supporting targeted screening and risk stratification in urban slum populations.