Objective: Recent studies reported that hyperesthesia may be an indicator of early diabetic polyneuropathy. Using the current perception threshold (CPT) test, which stimulates peripheral sensory nerve fibers by three different frequencies (2,000, 250, and 5 Hz), we investigated the relationship between hyperesthesia and glucose metabolic impairment in a community.
Methods: The number of subjects, aged 40 to 79 years, was 2,074. The CPT values at each frequency were classified into three categories (hyperesthesia, normal, and hypoesthesia). Subjects were also subgrouped into three groups (normal, insulin resistance, and diabetes) according to glucose metabolic status, and those with hypoesthesia at each frequency were excluded in the analyses.
Results: The prevalence of hyperesthesia at 2,000, 250, and 5 Hz in male diabetic subjects were 14.1, 15.6, and 7.7%, respectively, and 22.2, 24.5, and 16.4% respectively in female diabetic subjects. In logistic regression analysis adjusted for age, females with diabetes showed a significantly high odds ratio (OR) for hyperesthesia at 2,000 Hz (OR, 2.42; 95% confidence interval (95%CI), 1.18 to 4.97) and 250 Hz (OR, 2.65; 95%CI, 1.31 to 5.37). In male diabetic subjects, a significantly high odds ratio for hyperesthesia was seen at 250 Hz (OR, 2.09; 95%CI, 1.07 to 4.05).
Conclusion: Our results suggested that hyperesthesia may emerge coupled with developing diabetes, supporting the precedent hypothesis.