Diabetic Neuropathy Disease Health Article

Clinical trials

There are numerous open clinical trials for diabetic neuropathy disease:

• Gene Therapy to Improve Wound Healing in Patients With Diabetes, at the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS)
• Long-Term Treatment and Re-Treatment of Lower Extremity Diabetic Ulcers with Regranex or Placebo, sponsored by Johnson & Johnson Pharmaceutical Research and Development RhVEGF (Telbermin) for Induction of Healing of Chronic, Diabetic Foot Ulcers, sponsored by Genentech
• Study of Three Fixed Doses of EAA-090 in Adult Outpatients with Neuropathic Pain Associated with Diabetic Neuropathy, sponsored by Wyeth-Ayerst Research
• Treatment for Symptomatic Peripheral Neuropathy in Patients with Diabetes, LY333531 Treatment for Symptomatic Peripheral Neuropathy in Patients with Diabetes and Treatment of Peripheral Neuropathy in Patients with Diabetes, sponsored by Eli Lilly and Company
• VEGF for Diabetic Neuropathy, at the Caritas St. Elizabeth's Medical Center of Boston.

For updated information on clinical trials, visit the website www.clinicaltrials.org, sponsored by the United States government.

Prognosis

The mechanisms of diabetic neuropathy are poorly understood. At present, treatment alleviates pain and can control some associated symptoms, but the process is generally progressive.

Complications of diabetic neuropathy may include:

• Progression to cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy, a relatively rare occurrence which can eventually cause death
• Peripheral neuropathy that leads to foot ulcers and leg amputations
• Injuries associated with automonic neuropathy, including those from dizziness and falling
• gastric distress leading to nausea and vomiting, diarrhea and dehydration, which could impair the ability to regulate blood sugar.

Special concerns

Prevention of diabetic neuropathy can be achieved by establishing good control over blood sugar levels at the onset of diabetes. Even when symptoms of neuropathy are already present, maintaining normal blood sugar levels reduces pain significantly. Drugs such as some over-thecounter anti-inflamatories may aid in prevention, as well as deterrence, of neuropathy by keeping inflammation to a minimum.

BOOKS

Parker, James N., Phillip M. Parker. The Official Patient's Sourcebook on Diabetic Neuropathy: A Revised and Updated Directory for the Internet Age. Icon Group, International, 2002.

U.S. Dept of Health and Human Services. Diabetic Neuropathies: The Nerve Damage of Diabetes. NIDDK, National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse, 2002.

PERIODICALS

Podwall D., and C. Gooch. "Diabetic neuropathy: clinical features, etiology, and therapy." Curr Neurol Neurosci Rep 4. (January 2004): 55–61.

Hughes, R. A. C. "Peripheral neuropathy." BMJ 324 (February 2002): 466–469.

Vinik, A. I., R. Maser, B. Mitchell, and R. Freeman. "Diabetic Autonomic Neuropathy." Diabetes Care 26 (2003): 1553–1579.

OTHER

Diabetic Neuropathies: The Nerve Damage of Diabetes. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. (January 4, 2004). <http://diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/>.

ORGANIZATIONS

American Diabetes Association (National Service Center). 1701 North Beauregard Street, Alexandria, VA 22311. (703) 549-6995 or (800) 232-3472 or (800) DIA-BETES. customerservice@diabetes.org. <http://www.diabetes.org>.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (National Center for Chronic Disease, Prevention and Health Promotion, Division of Diabetes Translation). Mail Stop K-10, 4770 Buford Highway, NE., Atlanta, GA 30341-3717. (301) 562-1050 or (800) CDC-DIAB (800-232-3422). diabetes@cdc.gov. <http://www.cdc.gov/diabetes>.

Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International. 120 Wall Street, 19th floor, New York, NY 10005. (212) 785-9500 or (800) 533-2873; Fax: (212) 785-9595. info@jdrf.org. <http://www.jdrf.org>.

National Diabetes Education Program. 1 Diabetes Way, Bethesda, MD 20892-3600. (800) 438-5383. <http://ndep.nih.gov>.

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. P.O. Box 5801, Bethesda, MD 20824. (800) 352-9424. <http://www.ninds.nih.gov>.

Greiciane Gaburro Paneto

Francisco de Paula Careta

Iuri Drumond Louro