Painful and non-painful diabetic polyneuropathy: Clinical characteristics and diagnostic issues

Sandra Sif Gylfadottir, Danita Weeracharoenkul, Signe Toft Andersen, Supranee Niruthisard, Sompongse Suwanwalaikorn, Troels Staehelin Jensen*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journal/Conference contribution in journal/Contribution to newspaperReviewResearchpeer-review

57 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Diabetic neuropathy (DN) is a common complication of diabetes and can be either painful or non-painful. It is challenging to diagnose this complication, as no biomarker or clear consensus on the clinical definition of either painful or non-painful DN exists. Hence, a hierarchical classification has been developed categorizing the probability of the diagnosis into: possible, probable or definite, based on the clinical presentation of symptoms and signs. Pain is a warning signal of tissue damage, and non-painful DN therefore represents a clinical and diagnostic challenge because it often goes unnoticed until irreversible nerve damage has occurred. Simple clinical tests seem to be the best for evaluation of DN in the general care for diabetes. Screening programs at regular intervals might be the most optimal strategy for early detection and interventions to possibly prevent further neuronal damage and to lower the economic burden of this complication.

Original languageEnglish
JournalJournal of Diabetes Investigation
Volume10
Issue5
Pages (from-to)1148-1157
Number of pages10
ISSN2040-1116
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Sept 2019

Keywords

  • Clinical characteristics
  • Diabetic neuropathy
  • Diagnosis
  • CORNEAL CONFOCAL MICROSCOPY
  • NEUROPATHIC PAIN
  • RISK-FACTORS
  • PERIPHERAL NEUROPATHY
  • GRADING SYSTEM
  • FOOT CARE
  • PREVALENCE
  • MECHANISMS
  • COMPLICATIONS
  • SEVERITY

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