Prevalence and associated factors of probable neuropathic pain among adults with type 2 diabetes in Turkish primary care: a cross-sectional study
BMC PRIMARY CARE, sa.10118612875026033569, ss.1-30, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Basım Tarihi: 2026
- Doi Numarası: 10.1186/s12875-026-03356-9
- Dergi Adı: BMC PRIMARY CARE
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Academic Search Ultimate (EBSCO), Biomedical Reference Collection: Corporate Edition (EBSCO), Health Research Premium Collection (ProQuest), Scopus, Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), CINAHL, EMBASE, MEDLINE, Directory of Open Access Journals
- Sayfa Sayıları: ss.1-30
- Hatay Mustafa Kemal Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
Abstract
Background
Neuropathic pain is a common and disabling complication of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) that adversely affects quality of life and functional capacity, yet it is frequently under-recognised and undertreated, particularly in primary care. Most evidence on diabetic neuropathic pain comes from hospital-based populations, and data from Turkish primary care—especially among working-age adults—are limited. We aimed to estimate the prevalence of probable neuropathic pain among adults with T2DM in primary care and to identify associated demographic, clinical and laboratory factors.
Methods
Cross-sectional study of adults aged 18–65 years with T2DM duration ≥ 1 year registered at a family health centre in Türkiye. A stratified random sample of 400 patients was invited. Data were collected by interview and medical record review. Probable neuropathic pain was defined as the Self-completed Leeds Assessment of Neuropathic Symptoms and Signs (S-LANSS) score ≥ 12. Associations were examined using multivariable logistic regression.
Results
Out of 400 patients invited, 301 (75.3%) participated in the study. Participants were 53.2% female; mean age 55.1 ± 9.7 years; median diabetes duration 120 months (interquartile range (IQR) 48–180). The prevalence of probable neuropathic pain was 25.9% (95% confidence interval (CI) 21.1–31.3). In the multivariable model, glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) ≥ 9% (vs. < 7%; odds ratio (OR) 2.29, 95% CI 1.11–4.75) and primary school or less education (vs. university or higher; OR 3.04, 95% CI 1.01–9.13) were independently associated with probable neuropathic pain, whereas age, diabetes duration, hypertension and comorbidity were not independently significant after adjustment.
Conclusions
About one in four working-age adults with T2DM in primary care reported probable neuropathic pain. Screening and education-tailored counselling, alongside intensified support for glycaemic control, may be particularly important for patients with poor glycaemic control and lower education.