A Review on Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy

Abstract

Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) is a common complication of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes affecting over 90% of the diabetic patients. Due to the toxic effects of hyperglycemia there is development of this complication. It is typically characterized by significant deficits in tactile sensitivity, vibration sense, lower-limb proprioception, and kinesthesia. Painful DPN has been shown to be associated with significant reductions in overall quality of life, increased levels of anxiety and depression, sleep impairment, and greater gait variability. Hence DPN is often inadequately treated, and the role of improving glycaemic control in diabetes. Major international clinical guidelines for the management of DPN recommend several symptomatic treatments. First-line therapies include tricyclic antidepressants, serotonin–noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors, and anti-consultants that act on calcium channels. Other therapies include opioids and topical agents such as capsaicin and lidocaine. The objectives of this paper are to review current guidelines for the pharmacological management of DPN. Keywords: DPN, hyperglycemia, depression, lidocaine