Diabetes top cause of peripheral neuropathy: health experts

• Published date: 23 November 2022
• Publication title: Philippines News agency

Diabetes mellitus is the leading cause of peripheral neuropathy, a condition characterized by damage of nerves outside the brain and spinal cord, worldwide.

During the 'Winning the Fight Against Neuropathy in Diabetic Patients' forum on Nov. 10, Central Manchester University Teaching Hospital consultant physician Dr. Rayaz Malik noted peripheral neuropathy is highly underdiagnosed in South-East Asia and the Middle East due to a lack of consensus guidance on routine screening and diagnostic pathways.

'This has a major impact on the quality of life as a result of painful neuropathic symptoms, foot ulceration and amputation with an associated five-year mortality of 40 percent and 80 percent, respectively,' said Malik, who is also a professor of Medicine at Weill Cornell Medicine.

'An awareness and sense of urgency amongst patients and healthcare providers is required, and primary care physicians need simple tools and guidance to help them diagnose peripheral neuropathy, he added.'

In response to this, P and G Health Medical and Technical Affairs Senior Director Dr. Ashley Barlow said they are committed to continued efforts to raise awareness on diabetes and its associated complications including peripheral neuropathy and nerve damage.

'The scientific forums rolled out by P and G Health across Asia Pacific, Middle East, and Africa region, provide insights, data, and clinical practice guidelines on the role of neuropathy diagnoses, treatment and management from health experts worldwide to...