Abstract
AIMS/INTRODUCTION: We investigated the classification of diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) patients by subjective symptoms, and identification of the relationship between the patterns and intensities of symptoms and the clustered groups of DPN patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This multicenter study analyzed epidemiological data and sensory symptoms of 649 patients with DPN. Cluster analysis was carried out to identify subgroups of patients with characteristic symptom profiles. Factor analysis was carried out to investigate the symptom patterns of the clustered groups of DPN patients. RESULTS: Three clusters of patients with DPN were identified: severe symptoms with decreased quality of life (cluster 1, n = 119, 18.3%), predominantly insensate symptoms with relatively good quality of life (cluster 2, n = 318, 49.0%), and moderate pain intensity and decreased quality of life (cluster 3, n = 204, 31.4%). The frequency of symptoms on each item of the Michigan Neuropathy Screening Instrument questionnaire showed a similar distribution according to pain intensities along with the three clusters. CONCLUSIONS: Our study supports the hypothesis that diversity in sensory symptoms exists in patients with DPN. Heterogeneity in DPN patients should be taken into account for a more stratified or individualized treatment approach. Based on a multicenter study, we identified three clusters of patients with DPN. Our research supports the hypothesis that diversity in sensory symptoms exists in patients with DPN. Heterogeneity in DPN patients should be taken into account for a more stratified or individualized treatment approach.