Progressive loss of corneal nerve fibers is associated with physical inactivity and glucose lowering medication associated with weight gain in type 2 diabetes



Ponirakis, Georgios, Al-Janahi, Ibrahim, Elgassim, Einas, Gad, Hoda, Petropoulos, Ioannis N, Khan, Adnan, Ali, Hamda, Siddique, Mashhood A, Gul, Wajiha, Ferdousi, Maryam
et al (show 21 more authors) (2022) Progressive loss of corneal nerve fibers is associated with physical inactivity and glucose lowering medication associated with weight gain in type 2 diabetes. JOURNAL OF DIABETES INVESTIGATION, 13 (10). pp. 1703-1710. ISSN 2040-1116, 2040-1124

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Abstract

<h4>Aims/introduction</h4>Limited studies have identified risk factors linked to the progression of diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) in type 2 diabetes. This study examined the association of risk factors with change in neuropathy measures over 2 years.<h4>Materials and methods</h4>Participants with type 2 diabetes (n = 78) and controls (n = 26) underwent assessment of clinical and metabolic parameters and neuropathy using corneal confocal microscopy (CCM), vibration perception threshold (VPT), and the DN4 questionnaire at baseline and 2 year follow-up.<h4>Results</h4>Participants with type 2 diabetes had a lower corneal nerve fiber density (CNFD), branch density (CNBD), and fiber length (CNFL) (P ≤ 0.0001) and a higher VPT (P ≤ 0.01) compared with controls. Over 2 years, despite a modest reduction in HbA1c (P ≤ 0.001), body weight (P ≤ 0.05), and LDL (P ≤ 0.05) the prevalence of DPN (P = 0.28) and painful DPN (P = 0.21) did not change, but there was a significant further reduction in CNBD (P ≤ 0.0001) and CNFL (P ≤ 0.05). CNFD, CNBD, and CNFL decreased significantly in physically inactive subjects (P < 0.05-0.0001), whilst there was no change in CNFD (P = 0.07) or CNFL (P = 0.85) in physically active subjects. Furthermore, there was no change in CNFD (P = 0.82), CNBD (P = 0.08), or CNFL (P = 0.66) in patients treated with glucose lowering medication associated with weight loss, whilst CNBD (P = 0.001) decreased in patients on glucose lowering medication associated with weight gain.<h4>Conclusions</h4>In participants with type 2 diabetes, despite a modest improvement in HbA1c, body weight, and LDL there was a progressive loss of corneal nerve fibers; except in those who were physically active or on glucose lowering medication associated with weight loss.

Item Type: Article
Uncontrolled Keywords: Corneal confocal microscopy, Diabetic neuropathy, Physical inactivity
Divisions: Faculty of Health and Life Sciences
Faculty of Health and Life Sciences > Institute of Life Courses and Medical Sciences
Depositing User: Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited: 26 Oct 2022 14:08
Last Modified: 06 Dec 2024 20:14
DOI: 10.1111/jdi.13864
Open Access URL: https://doi.org/10.1111/jdi.13864
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URI: https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3165792