Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathic Pain: Evaluating Treatment Options

According to estimates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,  29.1 million people (close to 10% of the US population) have diabetes and 30% to 50% of them eventually develop diabetic peripheral neuropathy, often with pain. Neuropathic pain due to diabetes is a commonly encountered chronic problem that has increased in frequency as the obese and diabetic population continues to increase. Many pharmacologic approaches including various algorithms are used to treat painful diabetic neuropathy; however, the effectiveness of many such medications is questionable. New evidence, including recent recommendations from the American Academy of Neurology, will be compared and contrasted with a prior systematic review and guideline, published in 2011. Agents and approaches with more recent evidence will be discussed in order to update knowledge of participants and assist them to better manage this disabling ailment.