European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

DIABETIC NEUROPATHY: IS A SERIOUS CHALLENGE OR NOT?

*Dr. Shayri Pillai

ABSTRACT

Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is one of those threatening problem increasing with modernization, where the current administration of therapeutic options are failing and new therapeutic drugs are required. The prevalence of diabetes has more than tripled over the past 30 years and includes a growing prevalence amongst people residing in low and middle income countries. Despite a large armamentarium of drug therapies for diabetes, the mortality associated with it remains significant. According to the international diabetes federation, 382 million people worldwide are currently affected by diabetes, one of the leading causes of neuropathy. The distal symmetrical polyneuropathy(DSPN) is the commonest clinical form of diabetic neuropathy. Generally, DSPN affects the toes and distal foot, but slowly progresses proximally to involve the feet and legs in a stocking distribution. It is also characterized by a progressive loss of nerve fibers affecting both the autonomic and somatic divisions, thereby diabetic retinopathy and nephropathy can occur. Foot ulceration and painful neuropathy are the main clinical consequences of DSPN, linked with higher morbidity and mortality.

Keywords: Diabetes Mellitus (DM), DSPN.