AAN publishes guidelines for the treatment of painful diabetic neuropathy

AAN releases guidelines for the treatment of painful diabetic neuropathy

Diabetic neuropathy refers to nerve damage caused by diabetes, which can cause pain and numbness, usually in the hands and feet

"Living in pain can greatly affect a person's quality of life, so this guideline aims to help neurologists and other doctors provide the highest quality patient care based on the latest evidence," said guide author Brian C.

The guide points out that there are many oral and topical drugs that can effectively alleviate nerve pain

In order to reduce nerve pain, the guidelines suggest that doctors can provide treatment for the following drug categories: tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), such as amitriptyline, nortriptyline, and imipramine; serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs), such as duloxetine, venlafaxine, or devenlafaxine; gabapentin drugs such as gabapentin or pregabalin; and/or sodium channel blockers, such as carbamazepine, oxcarbazepine , Lamotrigine or Lacosamide

Callaghan said: "Since the release of the last guideline, new research on sodium channel blockers has led to these drugs being now recommended and considered as effective in relieving pain, just like the other drugs recommended in the guideline

When prescribing, the guidelines state that doctors should consider the cost of the drug, side effects, and other medical problems that the patient may have

If the first tried drug does not provide meaningful improvement, or if there are significant side effects, the guidelines state that doctors should provide patients with a trial of another drug in a different category

The guidelines state that opioids should not be considered for treatment

Callahan said: "The current evidence suggests that the risks of using opioids in the treatment of painful diabetic neuropathy outweigh the benefits, so this drug should not be prescribed

The guide states that doctors may provide topical treatments, such as capsaicin, glycerol trinitrate spray, or colomycin to relieve pain

Callahan said: "It is worth noting that the drugs and topical treatments recommended in the guidelines may not eliminate pain, but they have been shown to reduce pain

In order to further assist neurologists and other doctors in the treatment of painful diabetic neuropathy, AAN has also released a new AAN polyneuropathy quality measurement set, which is released together with this guide