The frequencies of Douleur Neuropathique 4 Questionnaire sub-item phenotypes were numbness, 81%; tingling, 68.71%; pins and needles, 62.90%; burning, 53.59%; hypoaesthesia to touch, 50.16%; electronic shocks, 43.31%; hypoaesthesia to pinprick, 37.94%; brushing, 37.82%; painful cold, 29.61%; and itching, 25.86%.

Age, diabetic duration, depression history, Patient Health Questionnaire 9 score and Generalised Anxiety Disorder 7 score were risk factors for pain intensity according to visual analogue (VAS) scale.

Peripheral artery disease was a protective factor for VAS pain score.

For all participants with diabetic peripheral neuropathy (PDN) and with previously diagnosed PDN, fasting blood glucose (FBG) was a risk factor for VAS pain score, and there was no association between FBG and VAS score for PDN diagnosed within 3 months prior to recruitment.

The majority of pain relief therapies were prescribed in accordance with guidelines.