This study highlighted the importance of education of physician in diagnosing DN.27 Nerve conduction studies SN 2 Engine nerve conduction, F response, and sensory nerve conduction studies are important methods of paperwork and follow up of nerve functions in DN. factors; lipoic acid and L carnitine. SN 2 For neuropathic pain, analgesics, non\steroidal anti\inflammatory medicines, antidepressants, and anticonvulsants are recommended. The treatment of autonomic neuropathy is definitely symptomatic. strong class=”kwd-title” Keywords: neuropathy, diabetes, treatment, classification, pathophysiology Diabetic neuropathy (DN) is definitely a common disorder and is defined as signs and symptoms of peripheral nerve dysfunction in a patient with diabetes mellitus (DM) in whom other causes of peripheral nerve dysfunction have been excluded. There is a higher prevalence of DM in India (4.3%)1 compared with the West (1%C2%).2 Probably Asian Indians are more susceptible for insulin resistance and cardiovascular mortality.3 The incidence of DN in India is not well known but in a study from South India 19.1% type II diabetic patients experienced peripheral neuropathy.4 DN is one of the commonest causes of peripheral neuropathy. It accounts for hospitalisation more frequently than other complications of diabetes and also may be the most frequent cause of non\traumatic amputation. Diabetic autonomic neuropathy accounts for silent myocardial infarction and shortens the life-span resulting in death in 25%C50% individuals within 5C10 years of autonomic diabetic neuropathy.5,6 According to an estimate, two thirds of diabetic patients possess clinical or subclinical neuropathy. The analysis of subclinical DN requires electrodiagnostic screening and quantitative sensory and autonomic screening. All types of diabetic patientsinsulin dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM), non\insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM), and secondary diabetic patientscan develop neuropathy. The prevalence of neuropathy raises with the duration of diabetes mellitus. In a study, the incidence of neuropathy improved from 7.5% on admission to 50% at 25 years follow up.7 The package gives the classification of DN. Clinical classifications of diabetic neuropathies8 SymmetricDiabetic polyneuropathy Painful autonomic neuropathy Painful distal neuropathy with excess weight loss diabetic cachexia Insulin neuritis Polyneuropathy after ketoacidosis Polyneuropathy with glucose impairment Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy with diabetes mellitus AsymmetricRadiculoplexoneuropathies -? Lumbosacral -? Thoracic -? Cervical Mononeuropathies Median neuropathy at wrist Ulnar neuropathy in the elbow Peroneal neuropathy in the fibular head Cranial neuropathy Distal Rabbit polyclonal to ATP5B symmetrical polyneuropathy (DSPN) DSPN is the commonest type of DN and probably accounts for 75% of DNs (fig 1?1).). Many physicians incorrectly presume that DSPN is definitely synonymous with DN. It may be sensory or engine and may involve small or large fibres, or both. Sensory impairment happens in glove and stocking distribution and engine indications are not prominent. The sensory symptoms reach up to knee level before the fingers are involved because of size dependent dying back process. Fibre dependent axonopathy results in improved predisposition in taller people.9 DSPN is further classified into large fibre and small fibre neuropathy. Large fibre neuropathy is definitely characterised by painless paresthesia with impairment of vibration, joint position, touch and pressure sensations, and loss of ankle reflex. In advanced stage, sensory ataxia may occur. Large fibre neuropathy results in slowing of nerve conduction, impairment of quality of life, and activities of daily living. Small fibre neuropathy on the other hand is associated with pain, burning, and impairment of pain and temp sensations, which are SN 2 often associated with autonomic neuropathy. Nerve conduction studies are usually normal but quantitative sensory and autonomic checks are irregular. Small fibre neuropathy results in morbidity and mortality. Autonomic neuropathy is usually associated with DSPN; but diabetic autonomic neuropathy does not occur without sensory engine neuropathy. Open in a separate window Number 1?Schematic diagram showing types of diabetic neuropathy. (A) Distal symmetrical peripheral neuropathy, (B) proximal neuropathy, (C) cranial and truncal neuropathy, and (D) mononeuropathy multiplex. Painful diabetic neuropathy About 10% of diabetic patients experience persistent pain.10 Pain in DN can be spontaneous or stimulus induced, severe or SN 2 intractable. DN pain is typically worse at night and may become described as burning, pins and needles, shooting, aching, jabbing, razor-sharp, cramping, tingling, chilly, or allodynia..