Hypertension (high blood pressure), hyperglycemia (high blood glucose), dyslipidemia (e.g. elevated blood triglycerides and LDL-cholesterol), and a high body mass index (BMI) are associated with an increased risk of diabetic neuropathy.[1][2] In people with type 1 diabetes, additional risk factors for diabetic neuropathy include a greater age, a longer duration of diabetes, and cigarette smoking.[3] Furthermore, people with deficiencies in vitamin D [4][5][6][7] or vitamin B12 [8] also have an increased risk of diabetic neuropathy. However, further investigation is needed to determine whether these factors directly cause diabetic neuropathy.
What are the risk factors for diabetic neuropathy?
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•Last Updated: May 16, 2025
Risk factors for diabetic neuropathy include hypertension, hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia, high BMI, older age, longer duration of diabetes, cigarette smoking, and deficiencies in vitamin D and vitamin B12. Further research is needed to clarify the direct causative role of these factors.