Prevalence, Hallmark-Based Mechanisms, and Risk Factors of Peripheral Diabetic Neuropathy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

This systematic analysis of 74 studies from 24 countries with 83,560 participants examined the prevalence of diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) and its causes. The global prevalence of DPN was 57.42%, varying by continent: Americas (74.52%), Europe (59.95%), and Asia (45.44%). The analysis showed that changes in blood vessels are the most important disease mechanism, with prevalence increasing from 53% to 92% with increasing severity. The research identified 12 significant risk factors, including peripheral vascular disease (with the highest effect), male sex, and height. Surprisingly, HbA1c levels, BMI, and blood pressure were not significant. The findings support a personalized treatment approach based on disease hallmarks.