Author(s): Alam U.; Nelson A.J.; Cuthbertson D.J.; Malik R.A.
Source: Future Neurology; Aug 2018; vol. 13 (no. 3); p. 135-142
Publication Date: Aug 2018
Publication Type(s): Article
Abstract:Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) is highly prevalent and affects up to 50% of patients with diabetes. Painful neuropathic symptoms may occur in a third of patients with diabetes and is a major cause of sleep disturbance, morbidity and poor quality of life. Effective treatment of DPN remains a major challenge as current therapeutic options have a number of undesirable side effects and only provide a partial response to neuropathic pain. Furthermore, there are a lack of treatments that modulate the natural history of DPN. A growing body of evidence suggests that vitamin B and vitamin D may have analgesic effects and neuroprotective benefits in DPN. This narrative review explores the role of these vitamins in DPN. Given their limited side effects, further mechanistic studies and good quality randomized controlled trials of their putative analgesic ability are required to define the role of vitamin B and D in DPN.
Copyright © 2018 2018 Future Medicine Ltd.
Database: EMBASE