Good glycaemic control can prevent diabetic peripheral neuropathy
Gregersen, Søren.
Ugeskrift for Laeger 175(36): 2022-2025
2013
ISSN/ISBN: 0041-5782 PMID: 23992909 Document Number: 664111
Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) results in excess morbidity and mortality. Good glycaemic control is the only way to reduce the risk of DPN. A Cochrane review meta-analysed RCTs on the impact of improved glycaemic control on peripheral neuropathy (primary outcome). The few studies addressing the primary outcome showed that improving glycaemic control reduces clinical neuropathy in type 1 diabetes whereas the evidence is less for type 2 diabetes. Several secondary outcomes (e.g. motor nerve conduction) are also improved. Prevention of DPN is a delicate balance between good glycaemic control and reducing the risk of severe hypoglycaemia.