Peripheral neuropathy in adults with or without diabetes can increase the risk of death by more than 30%, according to findings from a study based on real-world patient data.

The observational research suggests that decreased sensation in the foot may be an important yet under-recognised risk factor for both cardiovascular and all-cause mortality, the US authors say.

They also hint that the presence of peripheral neuropathy, regardless of diabetes status, could be an indicator of both metabolic syndrome and subclinical microvascular disease.

Investigators from the Johns Hopkins school of public health in Baltimore, Maryland analysed data from 7000 adults aged 40 and over who participated in the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey between 1999 and 2004 to determine the association of the foot condition with CV and all-cause mortality.