The usefulness of malondialdehyde (as oxidative stress indicator)‎ and glycated hemoglobin in patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy in Mosul

Abstract EN

Objective : The aim of the of the present study is to determine the biochemical markers predicting the development of diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) and the association between these markers.

Methods : Fasting blood samples were collected from 140 diabetic patients classified into two groups : group 1 consisted of 70 diabetic patients (33 females and 37 males, aged between 17 and 78 years) without peripheral neuropathy (DPN -) proved by clinical evaluation and Nerve Conduction Study (NCS) performed by the neurologist ; group 2 consisted of 70 diabetic patients (46 females and 24 males, aged between 24 and 80 years) with peripheral neuropathy (DPN +) proved by NCS.

They were attending Al-Waff a a diabetic clinic in Mosul during the period from 1st of October ,2005 to the 1st of March 2006.

HbAlc was measured using cation-exchange resin to separate HbAlc from other types of HbAl and measured spectrophotometrically, which is also used to measure serum malondealdehyde (MDA).

Results : The majority of the patients with (DPN +) were in the poor glycemic control when the criteria of HbAlc or FPG were used separately, and there is an increase in the sensitivity when using combined criteria.

Most of the patients with DPN had high level of MDA concentration, with increasing in the sensitivity and specificity when combined with HbAlc measurement.

Conclusions : It is important to use HbAlc for the follow up of glycemic control in diabetic patients.

Measurement of MDA is recommended for all diabetic patients as possible predictor for the development and the progression of peripheral neuropathy.