Demographic and clinical characteristics of the three groups studied.
| NGT (KORA F4) | DSPN− (KORA F4) | DSPN+ (PROPANE) | |
| n | 354 | 158 | 304 |
| Male (%) | 41 | 59* | 76*† |
| Age (years) | 68.9±5.3 | 71.0±5.5* | 68.0±9.3† |
| BMI (kg/m2) | 26.9±3.7 | 30.8±4.4* | 30.8±5.3* |
| Current smokers (%) | 10 | 10 | 17*† |
| Systolic BP (mm Hg)‡ | 124±20 | 133±20* | 139±20*† |
| Diastolic BP (mm Hg)‡ | 74±10 | 74±10 | 72±9*† |
| Cholesterol (mg/dL)‡ | 228±40 | 212±40* | 192±46*† |
| LDL cholesterol (mg/dL)‡ | 145±36 | 132±34* | 118±37*† |
| HDL cholesterol (mg/dL)‡ | 60±14 | 49±11* | 52±16† |
| Creatinine (mg/dL)‡ | 0.91±0.27 | 1.02±0.50 | 1.02±0.42 |
| Diabetes duration (years) | – | 7.6±5.8 | 13.5±9.6† |
| HbA1c (%) HbA1c (mol/mmol) | 5.49±0.28 36.5±3.0 | 6.55±0.97* 48.1±10.7* | 7.35±1.30*† 56.8±14.2*† |
| NRS 24 hours average pain (feet) | 0.43±1.51 | 0.41±1.39 | 0.14±0.77§ 4.16±2.80¶ |
| Abnormal VPT right (%) | 10 | 11 | 50 |
| Abnormal VPT left (%) | 7 | 9 | 57 |
| Abnormal TPS right (%) | 4 | 8 | 31 |
| Abnormal TPS left (%) | 3 | 7 | 27 |
| Absent ankle reflex right (%) | 2 | 1 | 48 |
| Absent ankle reflex left (%) | 1 | 3 | 45 |
Data are expressed as percentages or mean±SD.
*P<0.05 versus NGT.
†P<0.05 versus DSPN−.
‡After adjustment for sex, age, BMI, HbA1c, and smoking.
§Painless DSPN (n=140).
¶Painful DSPN (n=164).
BMI, body mass index; BP, blood pressure; DSPN, diabetic sensorimotor polyneuropathy; HDL, high-density lipoprotein; KORA, Cooperative Health Research in the Region of Augsburg; LDL, low-density lipoprotein; NGT, normal glucose tolerance; NRS, Numerical Rating Scale; PROPANE, Probing the Role of Sodium Channels in Painful Neuropathy Study; TPS, touch/pressure sensation; VPT, vibration perception threshold.