Diabetic Neuropathic Pain and Circadian Rhythm: A Future Direction Worthy of Study.

More than half of people with diabetes experience neuropathic pain. Previous research has shown that diabetes patients' neuropathic pain exhibits a circadian cycle, which is characterized by increased pain sensitivity at night. Additional clinical research has revealed that the standard opioid drugs are ineffective at relieving pain and do not change the circadian rhythm. This article describes diabetic neuropathic pain and circadian rhythms separately, with a comprehensive focus on circadian rhythms. It is hoped that this characteristic of diabetic neuropathic pain can be utilized in the future to obtain more effective treatments for it.

Effects of Monochromatic Infrared Light on Painful Diabetic Polyneuropathy: Randomized Controlled Trial.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of 890 nm Monochromatic Infrared Light (MIR) associated with a physical therapy protocol on pain in individuals with diabetic Distal Symmetric Polyneuropathy. METHODS: Randomized, parallel, double-blind controlled trial conducted with individuals randomly allocated into two groups: an experimental group (EG) with the application of 890 nm MIR associated with physical therapy and a control group that received the same treatment protocol without MIR application. Both groups underwent 18 treatment sessions and were followed up for 10 weeks. Pain assessment took place at four times using the instruments: Leeds Assessment of Neuropathic Symptoms and Signs, Douleur Neuropathique 4, and Brief Pain Inventory. Descriptive, inferential statistics and probabilistic estimates of the magnitude of the intervention's effect on neuropathic pain were used in data analysis (5% significance level). RESULTS: A total of 144 patients were allocated to groups. Lower levels of pain were observed for the EG after 6 weeks of intervention (p < .001) and 30 days after the intervention ended (p < .001). Pain intensity was lower and sleep quality improved (p < .001) for the experiment group, especially in people with severe pain. CONCLUSIONS: 890 nm MIR associated with a physical therapy protocol alleviated pain in people with Diabetic Painful Polyneuropathy after 6 weeks of follow-up, showing to be a promising alternative for the control of neuropathic pain due to diabetes mellitus. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: 890 nm MIR improves Painful Diabetic Polyneuropathy patient care due to relief of neuropathic pain.

Investigating the interplay between mitophagy and diabetic neuropathy: Uncovering the hidden secrets of the disease pathology.

Mitophagy, the cellular process of selectively eliminating damaged mitochondria, plays a crucial role in maintaining metabolic balance and preventing insulin resistance, both key factors in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) development. When mitophagy malfunctions in diabetic neuropathy, it triggers a cascade of metabolic disruptions, including reduced energy production, increased oxidative stress, and cell death, ultimately leading to various complications. Thus, targeting mitophagy to enhance the process may have emerged as a promising therapeutic strategy for T2DM and its complications. Notably, plant-derived compounds with ß-cell protective and mitophagy-stimulating properties offer potential as novel therapeutic agents. This review highlights the intricate mechanisms linking mitophagy dysfunction to T2DM and its complications, particularly neuropathy, elucidating potential therapeutic interventions for this debilitating disease.

Accuracy and reliability of the Ipswich touch test in identifying loss of protective sensation among diabetic patients.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the accuracy of the Ipswich touch test compared to the 10-g monofilament test for identifying of loss of protective sensation in Thai patients with diabetes mellitus. METHODS: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted on Thai patients with diabetes mellitus who attended routine annual foot check-ups in an outpatient diabetes clinic. The loss of protective sensation was assessed by the Ipswich touch test and compared with the Semmes-Weinstein 10-g monofilament test. Sensitivity, specificity, predictive values and likelihood ratios were calculated to measure the accuracy of the Ipswich touch test against 10-g monofilament as a reference standard. The interrater reliability of the Ipswich touch test was assessed by two raters. RESULTS: In a study of 283 diabetic patients, 10-g monofilament detected a 25 % prevalence of loss protective sensation. The Ipswich touch test demonstrated a good diagnostic accuracy, with a sensitivity of 70.8 %, specificity of 98.6 %, and an area under the curve of 0.85 when compared to 10-g monofilament. Positive and negative predictive values were 94.4 % and 90.8 % respectively. The positive likelihood ratio was 49.82, and the negative likelihood ratio was 0.30. Interrater reliability, assessed with two raters in a subset of 93 participants, yielded a kappa of 0.88, indicating almost perfect agreement. CONCLUSIONS: The Ipswich Touch Test demonstrated good accuracy and interrater reliability compared to the standard 10-g monofilament, thus establishing its effectiveness as a valuable diagnostic tool for identifying loss of protective sensation among diabetic patients. However, its relatively low sensitivity suggests it should be used with caution as a screening tool.

Cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy and the risk of diabetic kidney disease.

Background: Cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy (CAN) is known to affect patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) and cause adverse renal outcomes. We aimed to analyze the association between CAN and diabetic kidney disease (DKD). Method: We enrolled 254 DM patients (mean age, 56.7 ± 15.2 years; male: female ratio, 1.17:1) with 19 (7.5%) type 1 DM patients and 235 (92.5%) type 2 DM patients. All patients had undergone cardiovascular autonomic function tests between January 2019 and December 2021 in a tertiary hospital in Korea. Cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy was categorized as normal, early, or definite after measuring three heart rate variability parameters. Diabetic kidney disease refers to a persistently elevated urinary albumin-creatinine ratio (uACR ≥30 mg/g) or reduced estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR <60 mL/min/1.73 m2). Logistic and Cox regression analyses were performed. Results: Patients with elevated uACR (n=107) and reduced eGFR (n=32) had a higher rate of definite CAN. After adjusting for covariates, definite CAN was associated with elevated uACR (OR=2.4, 95% CI 1.07-5.36) but not with reduced eGFR (OR=3.43, 95% CI 0.62-18.90). A total of 94 patients repeated uACR measurements within 2 years (mean follow-up, 586.3 ± 116.8 days). Both definite and early CAN were independent risk factors for elevated uACR (HR=8.61 and 8.35, respectively; both p<0.05). In addition, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, ACE inhibitors/angiotensin receptor blockers and glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists were independent protective factors for elevated uACR (HR=0.96, 0.25, and 0.07, respectively; all p<0.05). Conclusion: Cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy is a potential indicator of DKD. Comprehensive management of DKD in the early stages of CAN may prevent microalbuminuria.

As condições clínicas de mulheres com diabetes tipo 2: avaliando para prevenir agravos / The clinical conditions of women with type 2 Diabetes: evaluating to prevent worsening / Lascondiciones clínicas de las mujeres con Diabetes Tipo 2: evaluación para prevenir empeoramientos

Introdução:O diabetes mellitus é uma doença metabólica caracterizada pelo controle inadequado dos níveis de glicose no sangue, principalmente um estado crônico de hiperglicemia, causado por diferentes processos patogênicos, levando a complicaçõesdosistema nervoso do diabético queincluem axonopatias, doenças neurodegenerativas, doenças neurovasculares e comprometimento cognitivo geral.Objetivo:Avaliar as complicações clínicas da diabetes tipo 2 em mulheres. Metodologia:Tratou-se de um transversal, do tipo prevalência. Foram usados dois grupos de mulheres, onde todas as mulheres estavam com diagnóstico de diabetes Tipo 2 e idade de 40 e 60 anos, comotratamentooral -G1e com tratamentocominsulinoterapia ­G2,ambosfornecidospelarede pública Para comparação das variáveis estudadas foi utilizado o método de Mann-Whitney, adotando-se o nível de significância menor que 5% (p, valor ,0,05). Resultados:Aproporçãode pessoas com diabetes no Piauí, com consulta e hemoglobina glicada solicitada no primeiro quadrimestre de 2021, 2022, 2023, foi de18, 16 e 34 percentuais,respectivamenteeem Boa Hora nos mesmos quadrimestres foi 36, 39, 56 percentuais, respectivamente.Osprocedimentoshospitalares-por local de residência -Piauí foi de um total de 1.193e em Boa Hora 24. O grupo de mulheres estudadas mostrou uma diferença significativa para a glicemia em jejum e a Hemoglobina glicada quando comparados os grupos G1 e G2. Quase 100% da amostra estava obesa (IMC > 25), não fumava e não praticava atividade física.Conclusões:Concluiu-se que a as pacientes tiveram um agravamento do adoecimento ao longo dos anos com aumento de medicação. A ausência das boas práticas de promoção de saúde, atividade física e alimentação, podem ter contribuídocom o agravamento. Outrossim há necessidade urgente de uma intervenção para mudança de hábitos na população para que a medicalização seja diminuída para a promoção da saúde (AU).

Introduction: Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disease characterized by inadequate control of blood glucose levels, mainly a chronic state of hyperglycemia, caused by different pathogenic processes, leading to complications of the nervous system including axonopathies, neurodegenerative diseases,neurovascular diseases and general cognitive impairment.Objective: To evaluate the clinical complications of type 2 diabetes in women.Methodology: This was a cross-sectional, prevalence study.Two groupsof women were used, where all women were diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes and aged between 40 and 60 years, with oral treatment -G1 and treatment with insulin therapy -G2, both provided by the public network .To compare the variables studied, the Mann-Whitney method was used, adopting a significance level of less than 5% (p, value 0.05).Results:The proportion of people with diabetes in Piauí, with consultation and glycated hemoglobin requested in the first four months of 2021, 2022, 2023, was 18, 16 and34 percentages, respectively and in Boa Hora in the same four months it was 36, 39, 56percentages, respectively.SUS hospital procedures -by place of residence -Piauí was a total of 1,193 and in Boa Hora 24. The group of women studied showed a significant difference in fasting blood glucose and glycated hemoglobin when comparing groups G1 and G2.Almost 100% of the sample was obese (BMI > 25), did not smoke and did not practice physical activity.Conclusions: It was concluded that the patients' illness worsened over the years with increased medication.The absence of good health promotion practices, physical activity and nutrition may have contributed to the worsening.Furthermore, there is an urgent need for intervention to change habits in the population so that medicalization is reduced to promote health (AU).

Introducción: La diabetes mellitus ecaracterizada por un control inadecuado de los niveles de glucosa en sangre, principalmente un estado crónico de hiperglucemia, causado por diferentes procesos patogénicos, derivando en complicaciones del sistema nervioso incluyendo axonopatías, enfermedades neurodegenerativas, enfermedades neurovasculares y deterioro cognitivo general.Objetivo: Evaluar las complicaciones clínicas de la diabetes tipo 2 en mujeres.Metodología: Se trata de un estudio transversal de prevalencia.Se utilizaron dos grupos de mujeres, donde todas fueron diagnosticadas con diabetes tipo 2 y con edades entre 40 y 60 años, con tratamiento oral -G1 y tratamiento con insulinoterapia -G2, ambos prestados por la red pública.Para comparar las variables estudiadas se utilizó el método de Mann-Whitney, adoptando un nivel de significancia inferior al 5% (p, valor 0,05).Resultados:La proporción de personas con diabetes en Piauí, con consulta y hemoglobina glucosilada solicitada en los primeros cuatro meses de 2021, 2022, 2023, fuede 18, 16 y 34 porcentajes, respectivamente y en Boa Hora en los mismos cuatro meses fue de 36 , 39, 56 porcentajes, respectivamente.Los procedimientos hospitalarios del SUS -por lugar de residencia -en Piauí fueron en total 1.193 y en Boa Hora 24. El grupo de mujeres estudiado presentó diferencia significativa en la glucemia en ayunas y en la hemoglobina glucosilada al comparar los grupos G1 y G2.Casi el 100% de la muestra era obesa (IMC > 25), no fumaba y no practicaba actividad física.Conclusiones:Se concluyó que la enfermedad de los pacientes empeoró con el paso de los años con el aumento de la medicación.La ausencia de buenas prácticas de promoción de la salud, actividad física y nutrición puede haber contribuido al empeoramiento.Además, es urgente intervenir para cambiar los hábitos de la población para promover la salud (AU).

Content and effects of balance training in people with diabetic peripheral neuropathy - a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy (DPN) impairs balance due to sensory loss, proprioceptive deficits, muscle weakness, altered gait, and delayed reflexes. Targeted aerobic and balance training seem promising to mitigate these issues. However, the exact content of a recommended training regime is yet to be determined. OBJECTIVE: To delineate and synthesise balance training content and efficacy for people with DPN. METHODS: The literature search was conducted on PubMed and Embase in accordance with the PRISMA-checklist. Last search was performed on April 29, 2024. Inclusion criteria were established using the PICO-framework. Methodological quality was assessed using the TESTEX Scale. Meta-analyses were exclusively applied to studies featuring a passive control group. RESULTS: A total of 2007 articles were identified. Twelve studies were included in the qualitative synthesis. Seven studies were included in the meta-analyses. Two studies were of high quality. Most studies reported the frequency, session time, duration, and setting of balance training, while none reported the intensity. The meta-analyses showed a standardized mean difference in favor of balance training compared to passive control for One-Legged Stance (openeyes) (0.89[0.5,1.28]), One-Legged Stance (closed eyes) (1.48[0.36, 2.60]), Postural sway (-0.71[-1.04, -0,37]), Timed Up and Go(-0.94[-1.78, -0.10]), and Berg Balance Scale (2.26[0.48, 4.05]), respectively. CONCLUSION: Studies are few and generally of low methodological quality. The content of balance training interventions is minimally described, especially concerning the applied intensity. However, balance training does seem to improve balance outcomes in people with DPN, but given the methodological limitations, interpretation must be cautious.

Periodontitis and Diabetes Complications: A Danish Population-Based Study.

Conflicting evidence suggests a link between diabetes-related microvascular complications and periodontitis. Reliable estimates have been hindered by small sample sizes and residual confounding. Moreover, the combined effects of microvascular complications and dyslipidemia on periodontitis have not been explored. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the association between individual and combined diabetic microvascular complications (i.e., neuropathy and retinopathy) and moderate/severe periodontitis in a Danish population-based study. In addition, we assessed whether dyslipidemia modified these associations. This study comprised 15,922 participants with type 2 diabetes from the Health in Central Denmark study. Multinomial logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for individual and joint microvascular diabetes complications. The models adjusted for potential confounders, including sociodemographic factors, lifestyle behaviors, and health conditions. Inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) balanced measured confounders between periodontitis and nonperiodontitis participants. Sensitivity analyses tested the findings' robustness by estimating E-values for unmeasured confounding and varying microvascular complication definitions. After IPTW, adjusted models revealed that diabetic neuropathy (OR 1.36, 95% CI 1.14 to 1.63) and retinopathy (OR 1.21, 95% CI 1.03 to 1.43) were significantly associated with moderate/severe periodontitis. Moreover, the coexistence of microvascular complications increased the odds 1.5-fold for moderate/severe periodontitis (OR 1.51, 95% CI 1.23 to 1.85). An effect modification of dyslipidemia on an additive scale was found, indicated by a positive relative excess risk due to interaction of 0.24 for neuropathy, 0.11 for retinopathy, and 0.44 for both complications. Sensitivity analysis ruled out unmeasured confounders and microvascular complication definitions as explanatory factors. Diabetic neuropathy and retinopathy, individually and combined, were associated with moderate/severe periodontitis. In addition, dyslipidemia had an additive positive effect modification on diabetic microvascular complications, elevating the odds of moderate/severe periodontitis. These findings may aid in identifying at-risk subgroups for diabetes-related microvascular complications and periodontitis, optimizing efforts to mitigate disease burden.

Assessment of neuropathy subtypes in type 1 diabetes.

INTRODUCTION: Diabetic polyneuropathy (DPN), a common complication of diabetes, can manifest as small, large, or mixed fiber neuropathy (SFN, LFN, and MFN, respectively), depending on the type of fibers involved. Despite evidence indicating small fiber involvement prior to large fiber involvement in type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM)-associated DPN, no evidence has been produced to determine the more prevalent subtype. We aim to determine the more prevalent type of nerve fiber damage-SFN, LFN, and MFN-in T1DM-associated DPN, both with and without pain. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, participants (n=216) were divided into controls; T1DM; T1DM with non-painful DPN (NP-DPN); and T1DM with painful DPN (P-DPN). DPN was further subgrouped based on neuropathy severity. The more prevalent type of fiber damage was determined applying small and large fiber-specific tests and three diagnostic models: model 1 (≥1 abnormal test); model 2 (≥2 abnormal tests); and model 3 (≥3 abnormal tests). RESULTS: MFN showed the highest prevalence in T1DM-associated DPN. No differences in neuropathy subtype were found between NP-DPN and P-DPN. DPN, with prevalent SFN plateaus between models 2 and 3. All models showed increased prevalence of MFN according to DPN severity. Model 3 showed increased DPN with prevalent LFN in early neuropathy. DPN with prevalent SFN demonstrated a similar, but non-significant pattern. CONCLUSIONS: DPN primarily manifests as MFN in T1DM, with no differentiation between NP-DPN and P-DPN. Additionally, we propose model 2 as an initial criterion for diagnosing DPN with a more prevalent SFN subtype in T1DM. Lastly, the study suggests that in mild stages of DPN, one type of nerve fiber (either small or large) is more susceptible to damage.

The association of diabetic peripheral neuropathy with cardiac autonomic neuropathy in individuals with diabetes mellitus: A systematic review.

This systematic review aimed to explore the relationship between diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) and cardiac autonomic neuropathy (CAN) in individuals with type 1 and 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). METHODS: The systematic review follow the protocol registered in Prospero (CRD42020182899). Two authors independently searched the PubMed, Scopus, Embase, Cochrane, and Web of Science databases. Discrepancies were resolved by a third author. The review included observational studies investigating the relationship between CAN and DPN in individuals with DM. RESULTS: Initially, out of 1165 studies, only 16 were selected, with 42.8 % involving volunteers with one type of diabetes, 14.3 % with both types of diabetes and 14.3 % not specify the type. The total number of volunteers was 2582, mostly with type 2 DM. It was analyzed that there is a relationship between CAN and DPN. It was observed that more severe levels of DPN are associated with worse outcomes in autonomic tests. Some studies suggested that the techniques for evaluating DPN might serve as risk factors for CAN. CONCLUSION: The review presents a possible relationship between DPN and CAN, such as in their severity.