Serum neuron-specific enolase as a biomarker in diagnosing diabetic peripheral neuropathy: A cross-sectional study

Background: Diabetic peripheral neuropathy remains asymptomatic until the late stages. Hence, a need exists for a reliable and sensitive biomarker for the early diagnosis of diabetic peripheral neuropathy.
Aims and Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate serum neuron-specific enolase (NSE) reliability as a biomarker in diagnosing diabetic peripheral neuropathy.
Materials and Methods: In the department of biochemistry and internal medicine, a cross-sectional study was conducted at Government Villupuram Medical College from May 2018 to January 2020. One hundred diabetes patients with peripheral neuropathy were compared with 100 patients without peripheral neuropathy. A diabetic neuropathy symptom (DNS) questionnaire and diabetic neuropathy examination (DNE) score were used for diagnosis. In addition, vibration position sense and NSE values were compared between the two groups. For statistical analysis, R studio and coGuide were used.
Results: Comparisons between groups were based on age, sex, and other baseline parameters. Statistically, significance was observed between the two groups in outcome parameters such as VPB (right), VPB (left), and DNS (P<0.05). There was a weak positive correlation between NSE and DNS (rs value: 0.514, P<0.001). On the other hand, there was a strong positive correlation between NSE and DNE (rs value: 0.937, P<0.001). The NSE of 6.50 and above had a sensitivity of 53% (95%CI 42.76–63.06%) and specificity of 57% (95% CI 46.71–66.86%).
Conclusion: NSE acts as a biomarker for diabetic peripheral neuropathy. Therefore, NSE can be used for the early diagnosis of diabetic peripheral neuropathy, thereby preventing a severe form of the disease.