Association between visceral fat indices and diabetic peripheral neuropathy in patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Aim: To examines the relationship between visceral fat indices (Visceral Adiposity Index (VAI), Lipid Accumulation Product (LAP), and Atherogenic Plasma Index (AIP)) and diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) in patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T ₂ DM). Method: We conducted a retrospective screening of patients who had been diagnosed with diabetes mellitus at our hospital between January 2022 and December 2024. Among these patients, those who scored 12 or higher on the Leeds Assessment of Neuropathic Symptoms and Signs (LANSS) pain scale, along with a positive electromyography evaluation for neuropathy, were classified as Group 1. In contrast, patients with a negative electromyography evaluation were classified as Group 2. We then compared the visceral fat indices between these two groups. Results: Our data shows that patients who developed DPN, indicated by a positive electromyography, had statistically significant higher values for body mass index, AIP, VAI and LAP compared to those without DPN, marked by a negative electromyography. Conclusion: These findings indicate that monitoring visceral fat, in addition to traditional glycemic control, may help in the early detection and risk assessment of DPN in patients with T ₂ DM. However, larger prospective studies are needed to validate these results and to gain a deeper understanding of the complex relationship among lipid metabolism, visceral fat, and DPN.