Abstract:
Diabetes mellitus (DM) is one of the most common metabolic diseases, and the number of cases
has increased worldwide. According to the International
Diabetes Federation (IDF), the number of patients with diabetes will increase from 387 million in 2014 to
592 million in 2035. With a global prevalence of 8.3%, DM represents a worldwide problem [1]. Diabetic
neuropathies are the most prevalent chronic complications of diabetes. This heterogeneous group of
conditions affects different parts of the nervous system and presents with diverse clinical manifestations.
Chronic sensorimotor DPN is the most common form of DN.3-5 A major symptom in DN patients is pain
arising as a direct consequence of abnormalities in the peripheral somatosensory system in people with
diabetes. 4 The symptoms can be present as severe numbness, paresthesia, or hyperesthesia, however, DPN
may be asymptomatic in about 50% of patients 5 and as the DPN progresses, the painful symptoms usually
disappear although they have a substantial impact in quality of life (QoL).
