Association Between Severity of Diabetic Neuropathy and Success in Weight Loss During Hospitalization Among Japanese Patients with Type 2 Diabetes: A Retrospective Observational Study

INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to examine the association between severity of diabetic neuropathy and weight loss during hospitalization in overweight participants with type 2 diabetes. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Participants of this study comprised 193 patients who were hospitalized for type 2 diabetes treatment. The participants were divided into two groups in the study, based on whether or not reduction of bodyweight was at least 3% during hospitalization. Using Cox models, the association between severity of neuropathy and effectiveness of weight loss under a controlled diet was analyzed. Autonomic neuropathy was assessed on patient admission by R-R interval, as measured in an electrocardiogram (CVRR), and sensory neuropathy was assessed using both 128-Hz tuning-fork vibration and Achilles tendon reflex (ATR). RESULTS: The adjusted hazard ratio for weight loss of at least 3% for CVRR was 1.17 (95% confidence interval 1.07–1.28, P=0.0006) and for vibration time 1.93 (1.01–3.68, P=0.045). After dividing CVRR and vibration time into tertiles based on participant number, the adjusted hazard ratio for the high tertile of CVRR was 2.17 (1.29–3.62, P=0.003), and for the long tertile of vibration time 1.84 (1.10–3.08, P=0.02), compared with the low and short tertiles, respectively. No association was detected between ATR category and weight loss. CONCLUSION: Severity of diabetic neuropathy was found to be a determinant in weight loss under a caloric restriction regimen for patients with type 2 diabetes. The results of the study suggest that the peripheral nervous system is involved in responses to medical intervention for treatment for type 2 diabetes including bodyweight management.