Weight-adjusted waist index and its association with diabetic peripheral neuropathy in patients with type 2 diabetes: a cross-sectional study in coastal Zhejiang province
TL;DR
WWI is an independently associated with for DPN in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, and its screening performance is superior to that of traditional BMI.
Abstract
Background To investigate the association between the weight-adjusted waist index (WWI) and the risk of diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and to evaluate its potential as an early screening tool. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted. Patients with T2DM who visited the National Metabolic Management Center (MMC) of Yuhuan Second People’s Hospital between January 2024 and January 2026 were included. Based on sensory nerve conduction velocity results, patients were divided into a DPN group and a non-DPN group. Multivariable logistic regression was used to assess the relationship between WWI and DPN. Subgroup analysis and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis were performed to evaluate the discriminative ability of WWI. Results A total of 5,646 patients were enrolled, including 1,554 (27.52%) with DPN. Compared with the lowest WWI quartile (Q1), the adjusted odds ratios (ORs) for Q2, Q3, and Q4 were 1.32 (95% CI: 1.08–1.62), 1.91 (95% CI: 1.56–2.33), and 3.64 (95% CI: 2.97–4.46), respectively (P for trend < 0.001). ROC curve analysis showed that WWI had a significantly better discriminative ability for DPN than body mass index (BMI). Sex significantly modified the association between WWI and DPN (P for interaction = 0.021), with a stronger discriminative value observed in women. Conclusion WWI is an independently associated with for DPN in patients with T2DM. Its screening performance is superior to that of traditional BMI. WWI may serve as a potentially useful tool for DPN screening of DPN.