Authors' objectives: To assess benefits and harms of interventions for preventing diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) complications and treatment of DPN symptoms.

Authors' recommendations: For prevention of complications, intensive glycemic control is more effective than standard control for prevention of amputation, and home monitoring of foot skin temperature, therapeutic footwear, and integrated interventions are effective for preventing incidence and/or recurrence of foot ulcers. For reducing pain, the only class with moderate strength of evidence was serotonin-noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors; pregabalin and oxcarbazepine, atypical opioids, botulinum toxin, alpha-lipoic acid and spinal cord stimulation are more effective than placebo but with low SOE. However, studies were generally short term with unclear risk of bias, we could not draw conclusions for quality of life, all oral drugs had significant side effects, opioids have significant long-term risks including abuse, and spinal cord stimulation has risks of serious complications.

Project Status: Completed

Year Published: 2017

URL for published report: https://www.effectivehealthcare.ahrq.gov/ehc/products/612/2436/diabetic-neuropathy-report-170324.pdf

English language abstract: An English language summary is available

Publication Type: Not Assigned

Country: United States

Organisation Name: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality

Contact Address: Center for Outcomes and Evidence Technology Assessment Program, 540 Gaither Road, Rockville, MD 20850, USA. Tel: +1 301 427 1610; Fax: +1 301 427 1639;

Contact Name: martin.erlichman@ahrq.hhs.gov

Contact Email: martin.erlichman@ahrq.hhs.gov

Copyright: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ)