Pathophysiology and treatment of painful diabetic neuropathy of the lower extremity

R P Wunderlich; E J Peters; J Bosma; D G Armstrong

Pathophysiology and treatment of painful diabetic neuropathy of the lower extremity

R P Wunderlich, E J Peters, J Bosma, D G Armstrong

Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › Academic › peer-review

13 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Symptomatic peripheral neuropathy is the most common complication of diabetes mellitus, affecting up to 62% of Americans with diabetes.

METHODS: We reviewed the literature using the National Library of Medicine's MEDLINE search service. In total, we reviewed 54 articles.

RESULTS: Hyperglycemia leads to increased activity in the polyol pathway in nerve cells; this ultimately results in abnormal nerve function. Numerous pharmacologic agents have been used to treat symptomatic peripheral neuropathy, but all of these drugs can be associated with adverse side effects. Recent work has indicated that subsensory electrical stimulation may be preferred to pharmacotherapy, since it is equally effective and has a more favorable safety profile.

CONCLUSION: Although the pathophysiology of diabetic neuropathy is well understood, treatment of the symptoms associated with this condition can be challenging. Additional research is needed to reveal a safe and effective treatment for this debilitating sequela of diabetes mellitus.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	894-8
Number of pages	5
Journal	SAMJ. South African medical Journal
Volume	91
Issue number	10
Publication status	Published - Oct 1998

Keywords

Diabetic Neuropathies/physiopathology
Humans
Pain Management
Pain/physiopathology
Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation

Cite this

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title = "Pathophysiology and treatment of painful diabetic neuropathy of the lower extremity",

abstract = "BACKGROUND: Symptomatic peripheral neuropathy is the most common complication of diabetes mellitus, affecting up to 62% of Americans with diabetes.METHODS: We reviewed the literature using the National Library of Medicine's MEDLINE search service. In total, we reviewed 54 articles.RESULTS: Hyperglycemia leads to increased activity in the polyol pathway in nerve cells; this ultimately results in abnormal nerve function. Numerous pharmacologic agents have been used to treat symptomatic peripheral neuropathy, but all of these drugs can be associated with adverse side effects. Recent work has indicated that subsensory electrical stimulation may be preferred to pharmacotherapy, since it is equally effective and has a more favorable safety profile.CONCLUSION: Although the pathophysiology of diabetic neuropathy is well understood, treatment of the symptoms associated with this condition can be challenging. Additional research is needed to reveal a safe and effective treatment for this debilitating sequela of diabetes mellitus.",

keywords = "Diabetic Neuropathies/physiopathology, Humans, Pain Management, Pain/physiopathology, Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation",

author = "Wunderlich, {R P} and Peters, {E J} and J Bosma and Armstrong, {D G}",

year = "1998",

month = oct,

language = "English",

volume = "91",

pages = "894--8",

journal = "SAMJ. South African medical Journal",

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}

TY - JOUR

T1 - Pathophysiology and treatment of painful diabetic neuropathy of the lower extremity

AU - Wunderlich, R P

AU - Peters, E J

AU - Bosma, J

AU - Armstrong, D G

PY - 1998/10

Y1 - 1998/10

N2 - BACKGROUND: Symptomatic peripheral neuropathy is the most common complication of diabetes mellitus, affecting up to 62% of Americans with diabetes.METHODS: We reviewed the literature using the National Library of Medicine's MEDLINE search service. In total, we reviewed 54 articles.RESULTS: Hyperglycemia leads to increased activity in the polyol pathway in nerve cells; this ultimately results in abnormal nerve function. Numerous pharmacologic agents have been used to treat symptomatic peripheral neuropathy, but all of these drugs can be associated with adverse side effects. Recent work has indicated that subsensory electrical stimulation may be preferred to pharmacotherapy, since it is equally effective and has a more favorable safety profile.CONCLUSION: Although the pathophysiology of diabetic neuropathy is well understood, treatment of the symptoms associated with this condition can be challenging. Additional research is needed to reveal a safe and effective treatment for this debilitating sequela of diabetes mellitus.

AB - BACKGROUND: Symptomatic peripheral neuropathy is the most common complication of diabetes mellitus, affecting up to 62% of Americans with diabetes.METHODS: We reviewed the literature using the National Library of Medicine's MEDLINE search service. In total, we reviewed 54 articles.RESULTS: Hyperglycemia leads to increased activity in the polyol pathway in nerve cells; this ultimately results in abnormal nerve function. Numerous pharmacologic agents have been used to treat symptomatic peripheral neuropathy, but all of these drugs can be associated with adverse side effects. Recent work has indicated that subsensory electrical stimulation may be preferred to pharmacotherapy, since it is equally effective and has a more favorable safety profile.CONCLUSION: Although the pathophysiology of diabetic neuropathy is well understood, treatment of the symptoms associated with this condition can be challenging. Additional research is needed to reveal a safe and effective treatment for this debilitating sequela of diabetes mellitus.

KW - Diabetic Neuropathies/physiopathology

KW - Humans

KW - Pain Management

KW - Pain/physiopathology

KW - Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation

M3 - Review article

C2 - 9786282

SN - 0038-4348

VL - 91

SP - 894

EP - 898

JO - SAMJ. South African medical Journal

JF - SAMJ. South African medical Journal

IS - 10

ER -