Update on the management of diabetic polyneuropathies

Abstract

The prevalence of diabetic polyneuropathy (DPN) can approach 50% in subjects with longer-duration diabetes. The most common neuropathies are generalized symmetrical chronic sensorimotor polyneuropathy and autonomic neuropathy. It is important to recognize that 50% of subjects with DPN may have no symptoms and only careful clinical examination may reveal the diagnosis. DPN, especially painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy, is associated with poor quality of life. Although there is a better understanding of the pathophysiology of DPN and the mechanisms of pain, treatment remains challenging and is limited by variable efficacy and side effects of therapies. Intensification of glycemic control remains the cornerstone for the prevention or delay of DPN but optimization of other traditional cardiovascular risk factors may also be of benefit. The management of DPN relies on its early recognition and needs to be individually based on comorbidities and tolerability to medications. To date, most pharmacological strategies focus upon symptom control. In the management of pain, tricyclic antidepressants, selective serotonin noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors, and anticonvulsants alone or in combination are current first-line therapies followed by use of opiates. Topical agents may offer symptomatic relief in some patients. Disease-modifying agents are still in development and to date, antioxidant α-lipoic acid has shown the most promising effect. Further development and testing of therapies based upon improved understanding of the complex pathophysiology of this common and disabling complication is urgently required.

Introduction

Diabetes is the most common cause of neuropathy leading to significant morbidity and is associated with increased mortality.¹ Prevalence approaches 50% for people with long-established diabetes. Presentation, in the early stages, can comprise symmetrical, painful neuropathy involving the lower limbs, which can predate the diagnosis of diabetes. Paradoxically in later stages, pain can still be present with disabling symptoms, yet on clinical examination there is loss of sensation, so-called “painful painless neuropathy”. Poor glycemic control leads to progression of DPN and many studies have shown that intensification of metabolic control can slow or halt disease progression. Currently available disease-modifying treatments have not been effective in reversing the pathological process and present therapies are targeted, therefore, more towards pain relief.

Definition

DPN is defined as the presence of symptoms and/or signs in the peripheral nerves, pre-dominantly affecting the lower extremities in the absence of other causes of neuropathy. The San Antonio Consensus Statement on Diabetic Neuropathy defined the condition as being a “demonstrable disorder, either clinically evident or subclinical in the setting of diabetes without other causes of peripheral neuropathy”.²

Epidemiology

The epidemiology and the natural history of DPN are difficult to define, reflecting the inconsistencies of clinical diagnostic criteria, variable selection of patients, and wide-ranging physiological techniques. The EURODIAB Complications Study identified a prevalence of 28% for DPN at baseline, with glycemic control and duration of diabetes being major determinants; similar findings were observed in subjects in the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial (DCCT).² In a cohort of 4400 Belgian patients, the prevalence was estimated to be about 7.5% in newly diagnosed diabetes, increasing to 45% after 25 years of diabetes.³ In the United Kingdom, the prevalence of DPN among a hospital clinic population was around 29%.⁴ The prevalence is estimated to be 10% to 18% in newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes based on nerve electrophysiological studies, reflecting that “mild” disturbances of the glucose milieu can lead to nerve damage.⁵ The enhanced sensitivity of nerves to glucotoxicity is supported by the presence of symptomatic neuropathies in individuals who were found to have impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) which typically affects small nerve fibers based on measurements of intra-epidermal nerve fiber density (IENFD).⁶ In the Augsburg surveys, the prevalence of DPN based on Michigan Neuropathy Screening Instrument was 13.0% in those with IGT, 11.3% in those with impaired fasting glucose (IFG), and 7.4% in those with normal glucose tolerance (NGT) vs 28.0% in subjects with established diabetes (P = 0.05 for diabetes vs NGT, IFG, and IGT).⁷

The reported prevalence of painful DPN typically ranges from 10%–26% based on differing criteria used to diagnose neuropathic pain.⁸ In a European multicenter study of 1171 diabetic patients, the prevalence of painful DPN in subjects with type 1 and type 2 diabetes was 11.6% vs 32.1% respectively in the lower limbs and 7.1% vs 16.6% in the upper limbs. In newly diagnosed type 2 subjects, the prevalence has been reported to be 6% increasing to 20% at 10 years.⁹

Risk factors for DPN and neuropathic pain

The risk factors for the development of DPN were analyzed in the EURODIAB Prospective Complications Study of 1100 people with type 1 diabetes followed over a period of 7.3 years. Risk factors appeared to be similar to the factors for macrovascular disease, such as hypertension, smoking, elevated HbA_1c, increased lipid levels, duration of diabetes, and body mass index (Figure 1).¹⁰ In the Augsburg surveys, age, waist circumference, and diabetes were shown to be independent risk factors for the developing neuropathic pain. The presence of peripheral arterial disease was a significant contributor to neuropathic pain both in diabetic and nondiabetic subjects. This is an important factor to be considered in the diagnosis and treatment of neuropathic pain.¹¹

Figure 1.

EURODIAB: risk factors for incidence of polyneuropathy.

Notes: Excluding cardiovascular disease and retinopathy. Odds ratios (95% CI); n = 1101 with type 2 diabetes; follow up 7.3 ± years.

Symptoms and signs

The classification of diabetic neuropathies is complex reflecting the diverse etiology, pathology, the heterogeneous nature of symptoms, varied clinical course, and pattern of neurological involvement (Table 1). DPN can be broadly divided as suggested by Thomas et al^12,13 and Boulton et al^14,15 into generalized polyneuropathies and focal and multifocal varieties. Recently the Toronto Diabetic Neuropathy Expert Group suggested a further division of the generalized varieties into two subgroups of typical and atypical reflecting differences of onset, course, clinical manifestations, associations, and pathophysiology.¹⁶ Furthermore, minimal criteria were suggested for typical DPN (into categories of possible, probable, confirmed, and subclinical) based upon abnormalities of symptoms and signs and nerve electrophysiology. According to these criteria, the presence of an abnormality of nerve conduction in addition to a symptom(s) or a sign(s) is necessary for confirmation. However in the presence of normal electrophysiology, a validated measure of small fiber neuropathy (Figure 2) could be utilized.¹⁶

Table 1.

Classification of diabetic polyneuropathies

Generalized symmetrical polyneuropathy Chronic sensorimotor polyneuropathy ◊ Small fiber neuropathy ◊ Large fiber neuropathy ◊ Mixed Acute sensory neuropathy ◊ Hyperglycemic neuropathy ◊ “Cachetic” neuropathy “Peripheral”autonomic neuropathy ◊ Sudomotor neuropathy ◊ “Autosympathectomy” Focal neuropathy Cranial neuropathy Focal-limb neuropathy Multifocal neuropathies Radiculoplexus neuropathies ◊ Lumbar polyradiculopathy (diabetic amyotrophy) ◊ Lumbo-sacral polyradiculopathy ◊ Thoracic polyradiculopathy

Figure 2.

PGP 9.5 staining in nerves.

Generalized polyneuropathy

Diabetic sensorimotor polyneuropathy

Diabetic sensorimotor polyneuropathy (DSPN) is perhaps the most common form of DPN. It is a chronic, symmetrical neuropathy, which typically begins in the toes and gradually and insidiously ascends to involve the lower legs. Lesions or dysfunction of small myelinated and unmyelinated nerve fibers and larger myelinated nerve fibers occur in varying combinations; however, in most cases, the earliest deficits involve small nerve fibers. The features of small fiber neuropathy can include paresthesias and dyesthesia, hyperalgesia, burning, or lancinating pain and deficits in pain and temperature perception. Sensory symptoms can be mild; occasional tingling or pins and needles (paresthesia) or more disabling in terms of burning or stabbing with symptoms tending to be worse at night. The most frequent location of pain has been reported to be as follows: 96% feet, 69% balls of feet, 67% toes, 54% dorsum of foot, 39% hands, 37% plantum of foot, 37% calves, and 32% heels.¹⁷ In extreme cases, patients may experience hypoalgesia and allodynia when even the lightest of touch can provoke perception of severe pain. The precise prevalence of allodynia in DPN is however controversial. Unpleasant sensations of lancinating or “electric-shock” nature can result from small fiber involvement. Negative symptoms of numbness and hypoalgesia are also commonly reported within the presentation of sensorimotor polyneuropathy. Large myelinated fiber involvement leads to loss of vibration, touch, and position perception with decreased or absent ankle reflexes. Severe impairment of proprioception can lead to sensory ataxia and denervation-mediated wasting of small intrinsic muscles of the feet and hands, which can lead to weakness and deformity and occurs late in the disease process.^12,18–21 The duration of pain varies with complete to partial remission possible if a precipitating event can be identified.²² Shorter pain duration (ie, <6 months), in general, has a better prognosis.

It is generally proposed that chronic hyperglycemia with resultant downstream metabolic derangements in concert with cardiovascular risk factors²³ leads to impaired microvascular perfusion which is the fundamental deficit in pathogenesis of DSPN and is often found in association with other long-term microvascular complications.^16,23

Acute sensory neuropathy

Rarely, the symptoms of DPN are acute with severe intensity of pain associated with sudden and extreme weight loss. This has been associated with depression and erectile dysfunction. Electrophysiological evidence of neuropathy may be mild or absent consistent with predominant involvement of small nerve fibers. Symptoms may subside in <1 year and weight loss responds well to insulin therapy.²⁴ Similar findings may be observed in girls with anorexia and diabetes,²⁴ which can portend a troublesome future of rapidly progressive DPN.

Similarly, the so-called rapidly reversible hyperglycemic neuropathy, which occurs in patients with recently diagnosed or poorly controlled diabetes, usually presents with distal sensory symptoms that are unlikely to be associated with structural nerve abnormalities and recover following restoration of euglycemia.¹⁶

Acute painful neuropathy which develops after improvement of glycemic control, so-called “insulin neuritis”, has been described as “non-length-dependent” in that the distal extremities are not necessarily the most severely affected.^25,26 This topographic distribution of neuropathy has also been described in subjects with impaired glucose tolerance.²⁷ Symptoms usually respond to conventional treatments for neuropathic pain within 1 year.

Autonomic polyneuropathies

In diabetic neuropathy, innervation of peripheral vasculature is decreased or absent. Loss of sympathetic tone in the blood vessels results in vasodilation leading to arteriovenous shunting. The “warm” neuropathic feet due to arteriovenous shunting can be associated with the distension of foot veins that fail to collapse even when the foot is elevated and can result in edema, which is resistant to diuretics. The increased blood flow in the feet has been postulated to cause osteopenia and is associated with the development of Charcot neuroathropathy.²⁸ The oxygen tension of the blood in these veins is typically raised.

Peripheral sudomotor neuropathy can affect the feet with loss of sweating, resulting in dry skin with fissures predisposing to the risk of infection.²⁹ The term “autosympathectomy” has been used to describe the occurrence of peripheral vasomotor instability and peripheral sudomotor neuropathy. Sweat glands are innervated by sudomotor, postganglionic, thin, unmyelinated cholinergic sympathetic C-fibers. C-fibers also contribute to microvascular blood flow regulation. C-fiber dysfunction can occur early in the course of DPN.

Several methods have been developed to assess sudomotor function with variable degree of complexity and accuracy including thermoregulatory sweat testing, quantitative sudomotor axon reflex test sympathetic skin response, and quantitative direct and indirect axon reflex testing, silicone impressions, and the indicator plaster. The indicator plaster has been developed as a simple tool to detect the presence of DPN.³⁰

Measurement of IENFD is also becoming widely accepted as an important highly reproducible^31,32 tool for the quantitative assessment of the presence and severity of small sensory fiber loss. Intra-epidermal nerve fibers are the most distal processes of small myelinated and unmyelinated axons. These fibers can be quantified utilizing a minimally invasive technique of skin punch biopsy³¹ (Figure 2). Normative ranges have been reported³¹ which demonstrate that the density of epidermal nerve fibers decreases with age and is lower in men than in women.³² IENFD has been found to correlate with the severity of neuropathy^34,35 as measured using sural nerve small myelinated fiber density,³⁵ thermal thresholds,^33,36,37 vibration perception threshold, and electrophysiology.^33,36

Small sensory nerve fiber loss in the cornea can also be assessed using the technique of corneal confocal microscopy.^16,33 This technique has been shown to correlate with loss of IENFs and with the severity of neuropathy in patients with diabetes.³³ It appears to be a highly sensitive measure by which to measure a therapeutic effect of disease-modifying interventions since it was reported to improve 6 months following pancreatic and kidney transplantation.³⁸

Focal and multifocal neuropathies

Different mechanisms such as mild, repeated mechanical trauma, compression and entrapment, ischemia, and inflammatory process have been invoked in the development of focal and multifocal neuropathies,^39–41 which differ from typical DSPN in that they may occur early as well as later in the course of diabetes.

Mononeuropathy is common in both type 2 and type 1 diabetes. Cranial neuropathy, which perhaps results from inflammation, microvasculitis, and/or ischemia is rare and commonly affects the nerves that supply the extraocular muscles, especially oculomotor, abducens, and trochlear. Patients with diabetic opthalmoplegia present with unilateral pain, ptosis, and diplopia with sparing of pupillary reaction. Though these neuropathies are similar to those observed in nondiabetic subjects, Bell’s palsy occurs more frequently in diabetic than nondiabetic patients. Mechanical insult is likely to contribute to carpal tunnel syndrome which results from median nerve entrapment at the wrist (median mononeuropathy) or foot drop secondary to peroneal nerve involvement at the fibular head. Median mononeuropathy can be asymptomatic and can lead onto wasting and weakness of hand grip.⁴²

Radiculo-plexus neuropathies

Lumbosacral plexus-radiculo-neuropathy involve the L2, L3, and L4 roots and is often described as diabetic amyotrophy.¹⁶ Typically, older patients in the fifth to sixth decades of life with type 2 diabetes present with thigh pain followed by muscle weakness in one leg and sensory loss at the level of the lumbar plexus or lumbar roots and femoral nerve. The knee jerk reflex is usually reduced or absent on the affected side with preservation of ankle jerk unless affected by distal polyneuropathy. The symptoms may have monophasic or stepwise progression and are usually accompanied by weight loss. The condition tends to resolve over 6 months to 1 year. The diagnosis is made on history and clinical examination and electromyographic studies. The etiology may be an immune mediated vasculitis with ischemia since there is evidence of immune complex and complement deposition in nerve and muscle biopsy. Limited data suggest that treatment with intravenous immunoglobulins, prednisolone, and/or plasma exchange may result in fewer long-term neurological sequelae.^43–45 It is important to achieve good metabolic control in all cases.

Diabetic truncal radiculoneuropathy tends to affect middle-aged to elderly male patients. It is less common than lumbosacral plexus-radiculo-neuropathy but causes marked symptoms with a girdle-like distribution pain over the lower thoracic or abdominal wall. It may be uni- or bilaterally distributed and resolution generally occurs within 4–6 months.

Pathophysiology

The development of DPN is multifactorial. The metabolic effects of chronic hyperglycemia and the consequences of ischemia on the peripheral nerves are likely to be the two fundamental mechanisms leading to neuro-axonal dysfunction and damage.

In sensorimotor polyneuropathy, the pathophysiological effects of hyperglycemia are wide ranging and include activation of polyol pathway, generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) (oxidative stress) and reactive nitrogen species (nitrosative stress), and accumulation of advanced glycation end products (AGE)⁴⁶ (Figure 3). Excess glucose flux through the polyol or sorbitol pathway is reduced to sorbitol by the enzyme aldose reductase, a rate limiting step in this pathway, before being oxidized by sorbitol dehydrogenase to fructose, a potent glycating agent. The intracellular accumulation of sorbitol leads to reduction in nerve myoinositol and taurine and disruption of Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase membrane activity, leading to nerve sodium accumulation, impaired axonal transport and structural damage to the nerves.

Figure 3.

Pathophysiology of microvascular injury.

Abbreviations: ACE, angiotensin converting enzyme; AGE, glycation end products; AR, aldose reductase; DAG, diacylglycerol; PARP, poly (ADP ribose) polymerase; PKC, protein kinase C; VCAM, vascular cell adhesion molecules.

Hyperglycemia accelerates the glycation of free amino group on proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids with alteration in their molecular structure and functions.⁴⁷ The basement membrane of endothelial cells becomes glycosylated thereby contributing to impaired vasodilation. There is also excess formation and accumulation of AGEs due to reduced clearance of these macromolecules. Additionally, AGEs bind to receptors of AGE on macrophages with production of inflammatory cytokines (interleukin-1, tumor necrosis factor-α), growth factors (insulin like growth factor, platelet derived growth factor, tissue growth factor-β) and adhesion molecules (vascular cell adhesion molecules-1) (VCAM-1).^48–54

Elevated intracellular glucose also stimulates formation of diacylglycerol, which leads to the activation of protein kinase C (PKC).^53,54 The role of PKC is better defined in the pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy and although the mechanism of its involvement in neuronal damage is unclear and debated, it probably is mediated via an effect on endothelial cell function.

A common final endpoint for many pathogenic pathways is impaired nerve perfusion, hypoxia, and nerve energetic defects. The multiple mechanisms cited above can result in overproduction of ROS, especially superoxide anion by the mitochondrial electron transport chain. The availability of endothelial nitric oxide (NO) is reduced as superoxide binds to NO to form the strong oxidant peroxynitrite which is directly toxic to endothelial cells.^56–59 Endothelial cells elaborate NO, a potent vasodilator, which antagonizes thrombosis, has anti-inflammatory properties, is important in cell signaling, and can inhibit growth of vascular smooth muscle cells.^56–62 NO also inhibits the production of the potent vasoconstrictor peptide endothelin (ET)-1. Other agents involved in mediating the vasodilatation of microcirculation include substance P and calcitonin gene related peptide (CGRP), in addition to bradykinin, histamine, and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide there is impaired dilator response to these peptides in diabetes.^55–58 Therefore, diabetes results in an imbalance of vasoactive agents, with the ultimate effect of impaired microvascular perfusion.

Another novel pathway, which has been implicated in the pathogenesis of the complications of diabetes, is activation of nuclear enzyme poly (ADP ribose) polymerase (PARP). Increased oxidative stress results in DNA damage and PARP 1 activation, which can lead to cellular energy failure, which is thought to be important in the pathogenesis of DPN.⁶³ Diabetic rodent models administered PARP inhibitors or deficient in the PARP gene demonstrate protection against the development of experimental DPN. These models also demonstrate reduced levels of epineurial vessel superoxide and nitrotyrosine, suggesting that the relationship between oxidative stress and PARP may be bidirectional rather than unidirectional.⁶³ For a detailed review of the role of oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of DPN, the reader is referred to Figueroa-Romero et al.⁵⁶

Mechanism of neuropathic pain

Overall the mechanisms that contribute to the development of pain in diabetes are poorly understood but probably involve deficits at multiple levels from the skin nociceptors to the pain processing areas of the brain.¹⁶ It is also important to consider the impact of cultural influences on the perception of pain, since the experience of pain complicating diabetes differs across ethnic groups which cannot be explained on the basis of clinical findings. The pain pathway starts from the periphery with nociceptor activation and transmission through the small unmyelinated C fibers and the larger myelinated A-δ fibers and A–β fibers. The major neurotransmitter in C fibers is glutamate and its release is regulated through calcium channels. Glutamate in turn excites postsynaptic N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors resulting in the release of substance P in the substantia gelatinosa, an important neurotransmitter of pain perception. The descending fibers modulate the response to pain via serotonergic, opioidergic, and α-2-adrenergic pathways.⁶⁴ The A-β the A-δ fibers transmit pain perception by depolarization, which is mediated by sodium channels, of which sodium channels 1.7 and 1.8 play an important role in pain signaling via glutamate. This excites an interneuron with release of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), which further modulates pain sensation.^65,66 Interestingly, a number of studies suggest that loss of IENFs is related to the development of pain in a variety of chronic disease states. For example, subjects with painful diabetic neuropathy have been shown to exhibit a significant reduction of IENFD compared with diabetic patients with painless neuropathy.⁶⁷

The definition of neuropathic pain (NP) as proposed by International Association of Study of Pain “pain initiated or caused by a primary lesion or dysfunction in the nervous system” has limitations as it overlooks the plasticity of the nervous system and its continuous modulation, which may change after activation or injury.⁶⁸ The word “dysfunction” in the definition of NP allows the inclusion of organic pain states that do not have identifiable lesions of any part of the nervous system or an initiating neural injury. The revised definition proposed by Treede et al, based on consensus statement defines NP as “pain arising as a direct consequence of a lesion or disease affecting the somatosensory system”.⁶⁸ Peripheral NP and central NP refer to lesions/disease of the peripheral nervous system and central nervous system, respectively.

Treatment of diabetic polyneuropathy

Treatment of DPN can be viewed as approaches aimed at modifying the disease process or strategies aimed at the alleviation of symptoms. Often the primary aim is to protect the lower limbs from damage due to sensory loss or to relieve pain, thus improving physical well-being and reducing psychological distress in order to enhance the quality of life.

Disease-modifying treatment

Glycemic control

The pathogenesis of DPN is fundamentally mediated by hyperglycemia and/or insulin deficiency and their associated downstream actions. Indeed, glycemic control appears to be the most effective treatment to slow the progression of diabetic neuropathy and delay its onset. In the DCCT, intensive metabolic control with insulin resulted in a 60% reduction in clinical and electrophysiological evidence of neuropathy compared to standard care over a period of 5 years in subjects with type 1 diabetes.^69,70 In patients with early diabetes, intensive glycemic control significantly attenuates neuropathy progression.⁷⁰ Furthermore, the beneficial effect of intensive glycemic control applied early in the course of diabetes appears to have long-lasting effects (metabolic memory).⁷¹ However, the DCCT gave little evidence that established neuropathy could be reversed by intensive insulin therapy. In the Epidemiology of Diabetes Intervention and Complication Trial (EDIC Trial), 64% of the original cohort from DCCT were followed up for 16 years. The incidence of diabetic neuropathy remained lower in subjects previously randomized to intensive treatment after 5 years despite the lack of difference in HbA_1c. The term “imprinting” of metabolic memory or “legacy” effect has been coined to describe this effect.⁷¹

Limited information exists with regards to the effects of glycemic control on pain. Boulton et al demonstrated that greater mean glucose excursions are associated with higher neuropathic pain scores and that use of continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion resulted in significant improvement in pain scores. These studies were, however, limited to a small number of patients.^72,73

In the (UK Prospective Diabetes Study) UKPDS, in newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes, intensive treatment with sulfonylurea, metformin, and insulin, which resulted in a 0.9% reduction in HbA_1c after 10 years compared to conventional treatment, led to 25% reduction in microvascular endpoints, especially in retinopathy progression and albuminuria.^74,75 However, absent ankle reflexes, taken as a sign of diabetic neuropathy were noted in 35% and 37% of intensively and conventionally treated subjects respectively, suggesting limited impact on this endpoint. In the Steno-2 trial, which assessed the efficacy of multifactorial risk factor intervention, improvements in glycemic control, lipid profile, and blood pressure were associated with a reduction in the odds ratio to 0.32 for the development of autonomic neuropathy.⁷⁶ Intensification of metabolic control did not affect the progression of DPN, but may have reflected the limited assessment of DPN performed in this study (limited to a biothesiometer assessment).

α-lipoic acid

As discussed above, there is considerable evidence for an important role for neurovascular dysfunction in the pathogenesis of DPN related to the downstream effects of free radical-mediated oxidative stress. D-L-α-lipoic acid (ALA) is a potent antioxidant, which has been extensively evaluated in prospective, placebo-controlled studies in subjects with diabetic neuropathy. A meta-analysis of 1258 patients who were treated with infusions of ALA (600 mg intravenously/ day) concluded that neuropathic symptoms and deficit were reduced after 3 weeks of treatment.^77,78

Initial studies with ALA showed limited benefit in symptom scores with some improvement in nerve electrophysiology. In the (Alpha-Lipoic Acid in Diabetic Neuropathy) ALADIN II trial, subjects with type 1 and type 2 diabetes complicated by symptomatic polyneuropathy were randomly assigned for 2 years to 1200 mg, or 600 mg ALA or placebo after intravenous infusion of ALA or placebo. The severity of diabetic neuropathy was assessed by the neuropathy disability score and electrophysiological studies. No significant differences between the groups were detected after 24 months apart from dose-dependent improvement in electrophysiological nerve function. In the ALADIN III trial, there was a small but significant improvement in neuropathy impairment score in patients treated with ALA.^79,80

However, in the Symptomatic Diabetic Neuropathy (SYDNEY) 1 trial, ALA intravenously given for 3 weeks was associated with improvement of symptoms. In SYDNEY 2 trial, three doses of oral ALA (600, 1200, or 1800 mg daily) or placebo were randomly assigned to 181 diabetes patients with symptomatic polyneuropathy for 5 weeks. All three doses were associated with significant improvement in the neuropathy total symptom score compared to placebo.^81,82

The benefit and safety of ALA has been demonstrated in a long-term study, NATHAN, which was a multicenter, randomized, double-masked, parallel group clinical trial involving 460 diabetic patients with polyneuropathy randomly assigned to receive ALA 600 mg or placebo. After 4 years, ALA was shown to be well tolerated and to improve neuropathic symptoms and deficits compared to a progression of these endpoints in the placebo arm.⁸³ ALA has been licensed and is currently used in treatment of symptomatic diabetic neuropathy in Germany. A dose of 600 mg/day appears to offer the best balance between efficacy and side effect profile.

Protein kinase C

Activation of PKC is thought to be an important pathogenetic pathway in diabetic microvascular complications. In the multinational, randomized, Phase II double-blind placebo-controlled trial using ruboxistaurin (a PKC-β inhibitor) there was, however, no difference in the primary endpoint of change in vibration detection threshold (VDT). For the secondary endpoint, there was improvement in the neuropathy total symptom score 6 (NTSS 6). Patients who had significant symptoms at baseline did show a statistically significant change in symptoms with 64 mg dose but not with a 32 mg dose compared to the placebo. In a subgroup analysis of patients with clinically significant symptoms and less severe DPN, there was significant greater reduction in NTSS 6 total score with the 64 mg dose (P = 0.006 vs placebo) and an improvement in the VDT.^84,85

Polyol pathway

Aldose reductor inhibitors (ARIs) reduce the flux of glucose through the polyol or sorbitol pathway, resulting in the reduction of intracellular accumulation of sorbitol and fructose. In a 52-week, multicenter, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial, the use of fidarestat in patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes with peripheral neuropathy was associated with significant improvement in five out of the eight electrophysiological measures over the course of the study with no deterioration from baseline in the treated group. At the study conclusion, the fidarestat-treated group improved significantly compared with the placebo group in two of the electrophysiological measures. There was also subjective symptomatic improvement in the treated group.⁸⁶ The ARI epalrestat is approved in Japan for clinical use. The clinical efficacy has been assessed in a 3-year, open-label, randomized control trial (RCT) of 594 DPN subjects. One hundred and fifty mg/day of epalrestat was found to result in improvement in patients’ symptoms and prevented the deterioration of median motor nerve conduction velocity and minimum F wave latency.⁸⁷

Another ARI that has been evaluated in a Phase III study is ranirestat. 549 patients with DPN were randomized to placebo or 10, 20, or 40 mg/day of ranirestat for 52 weeks. There was no change in the Toronto clinical neuropathy score and quantitative sensory testing among the groups. There were nonsignificant changes in sural and sensory nerve conduction but significant improvement in summed motor nerve conduction velocity of tibial, peroneal, and median nerves in the ranirestat group by 12 weeks.⁸⁸ Currently, the focus has changed from reversing established disease to slowing the progression of neuropathy and a prospective clinical trial with ranirestat is underway to address this.

Advanced glycation end products

The accumulation of AGEs and activation of AGE receptors results in multiple downstream pathogenetic effects leading to microvascular damage. However the identification and testing of a safe AGE inhibitor has proved problematic. The inhibition of AGE formation, amino-guanidine, was discontinued because of toxicity in humans.⁸⁹

Benfotiamine, a derivative of thiamine (vitamin B1), has been shown to reduce tissue AGEs. Studies of benfotiamine in subjects with DPN with varying doses and duration have been reported to show some effectiveness compared to placebo. A 6-week, placebo-controlled study with benfotiamine 300 mg or 600 mg demonstrated a reduction in neuropathic symptoms, which was optimal at the higher dose. Benfotiamine has also been studied in combination with pyridoxamine (vitamin B6) and cyanocobalamin (vitamin B12). These studies reported a significant improvement in vibration perception threshold, motor function, and symptom score.^90,91

Growth factors

There is evidence for deficient neurotrophism in diabetes. However prospective clinical trials utilizing nerve growth factor (NGF) and neurotropin 3 did not show promising results.^92,93 Another growth factor, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), which is an important stimulus for angiogenesis, has been studied in animal models of diabetic neuropathy as well as in clinical trials in patients with diabetes.^94,95 VEGF was shown to improve symptoms without effecting nerve electrophysiology.⁹⁴ Islet neogenesis associated protein, a pancreatic cytokine that can regenerate the islet tissue when administered to diabetic mice, resulted in improvement in thermal hypoalgesia in the rodent model following 2 weeks of treatment.⁹⁶

Inhibition of PARP

Chemical inhibition of PARP offers potential to slow or reverse diabetes complications including DPN.⁶³ Weak PARP inhibitors such as nicotinamide can prevent experimental neuropathy in diabetic rodents.⁹⁷ The challenge remains to develop more potent inhibitors that can be evaluated in patients.

Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors

The role of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors in DPN is probably due to inhibition of angiotensin II, which is a potent vasoconstrictor with pro-inflammatory properties, which especially in the absence of NO, promotes thrombosis and stimulation of vascular smooth muscle cells and adhesion molecules such as VCAM and intercellular adhesion molecules. The efficacy of trandolapril has been studied in 41 normotensive DPN patients who were randomly assigned to active treatment or placebo. Patients on trandolapril showed a small but significant improvement in several measures of peroneal and sural nerve physiology after 12 months of treatment compared with placebo. Vibration-perception threshold, autonomic function, and the neuropathy symptom and deficit score, however, showed no improvement in either group.⁹⁸

Symptomatic treatment

Therapeutic targets to alleviate pain include diabetes-induced peripheral and central sensitization (Figures 5 and 6). There is no predictor of the response to analgesics dependent on the character of the pain, although some believe that burning pain responds best to antidepressants and shooting pain to anticonvulsants. These agents are widely used in clinical practice, although not all are supported by adequate prospective RCTs. It is of great importance to consider individual patient comorbidities and drug side-effect profile as many agents have dose-related and potentially serious side effects (Table 2).

Figure 5.

Pharmacotherapy of pain pathway.

Abbreviations: SNRI, serotonin noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor; SSRIs, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors; TCA, tricyclic antidepressant.

Figure 6.

Treatment algorithm for painful diabetic polyneuropathy.

Table 2.

Oral therapy for diabetic painful neuropathy

Drug class	Drug	Daily dose (mg)	NNT
Tricyclics	Amitriptyline	25–150	2.4 (2.0–3.0)
	Imipramine	25–150	2.4 (2.0–3.0)
SSRIs	Paroxetine	40	6.8 (3.4–441)
	Citalopram	40	6.8 (3.4–441)
Anticonvulsants	Gabapentin	900–1800	3.7 (2.4–8.3)
	Pregabalin	150–600	3.3 (2.3–5.9)
	Carbamazepine	200–400	3.3 (2.0–9.4)
	Topiramate	Up to 400	3.0 (2.3–4.5)
Opioids	Tramadol	50–400	3.4 (2.3–6.4)
	Oxycodone	10–120	2.6 (1.19–4.1)
SNRIs	Venlaflaxine	150–200	5.5 (3.4–4.14)
	Duloxetine	60–120	4.0 (3–9)

Abbreviations: NNT, number needed to treat; SNRIs, selective serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors; SSRIs, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors.

Tricyclic antidepressants

Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) inhibit the reuptake of norepinephrine and/or serotonin. These agents may act by altering the central perception of pain or may antagonize the NMDA receptors in the dorsal horn that mediates hyperalgesia and allodynia.⁹⁹ In a placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomized, cross-over trial comparing amitriptyline, desipramine, and fluoxetine with placebo, the average effective dose, titrated over 6 weeks to achieve control of symptoms, was 111 mg/day for desipramine, 105 mg/day for amitriptyline, and 40 mg/day for fluoxetine. Both TCAs were equally effective and superior to fluoxetine or placebo. The beneficial effect was seen within 2 weeks and continued to increase at 6 weeks. The clinical response and tolerability of side effects are the best guides to dose titration, as there was no correlation demonstrated with pain relief, dosage, or plasma concentration.^99,100 TCAs can cause prolongation of the QT interval and are contraindicated in patients with recent unstable angina, myocardial infarction, heart failure, history of ventricular arrhythmias, and significant disease of conduction pathway.¹⁰¹ Concern exists about their safety, particularly in patients with cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy.

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) inhibit presynaptic reuptake of serotonin but not norepinephrine and lack postsynaptic receptor blocking effects. These agents can be considered in patients who cannot tolerate TCAs. However, they should be used with caution, especially with aspirin and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), as a case-control study showed moderately increased risk of upper gastrointestinal bleeding.⁹⁹

In a randomized, double-blind, crossover study, paroxetine 40 mg/day significantly reduced neuropathic symptoms compared to placebo but was less effective than imipramine.¹⁰² Paroxetine was also shown to be effective in relieving both steady and lancinating type of pain and the therapeutic effect was seen within 1 week. The number needed to treat (NNT) to achieve >50% pain relief was 6.8 (3.4–441) and was not significant. Citalopram but not fluoxetine has been reported to have beneficial effects on pain relief.^99,103

Selective serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors

Selective serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) such as duloxetine and venlafaxine have been shown to be effective in relieving neuropathic pain by increasing the synaptic availability of 5-HT and norepinephrine in the descending pathways that inhibit pain impulses. The efficacy and safety has been established in three 12-week randomized, blinded, controlled trials involving 1102 subjects. Duloxetine, 60 mg or 120 mg daily, effectively reduced pain intensity (47% and 48% vs 29% with placebo).^103–110 Duloxetine has a rapid onset of action with a reduction in pain scores within 24 hours with effects persisting for the duration of the study. It was effective at relieving pain at night. The medication was, in general, well-tolerated with only 20% discontinuation due to side effects. The most common side effects were nausea, somnolence, dizziness, decreased appetite, and constipation. Duloxetine is not associated with weight gain but may cause a slight increase in fasting blood glucose.⁹⁰ Duloxetine is licensed for treatment of neuropathy at a dose of 60 mg/day.¹⁰⁹

The efficacy of venlaflaxine extended release has been assessed in a 6-week multicenter, double-blind RCT involving 244 patients with DPN. Venlaflaxine was associated with significant benefit in the primary outcome measures of pain intensity and pain relief compared to placebo. The most significant improvement in pain score occurred with higher dose of venlaflaxine, 50% on 150–225 mg, and 32% on 75 mg vs 27% on placebo. The effect was attributed to a neuropathic rather than an antidepressant action since patients with depression were excluded. Nausea, somnolence, and myalgia were common side effects. Some patients on venlaflaxine had significant cardiac rhythm abnormalities.¹¹¹

Anticonvulsants

Anticonvulsants have traditionally been utilized for the treatment of painful diabetic neuropathy. Older anticonvulsants such as carbamazepine are still useful in treating neuropathic pain but have been replaced by newer agents such as gabapentin and pregabalin, which have better efficacy and safety profile.^112,113

Gabapentin is structurally related to aminobutyric acid, a neurotransmitter, involved in modulation of pain signals. Gabapentin binds to α2-δ subunit of voltage-activated calcium channels on the presynaptic neurone and reduces neurotransmitter release.^112,113 In three randomized, double-blind studies, gabapentin was shown not only to improve painful neuropathy but also has an additional benefit of improving sleep.^114–116 In an 8-week multicenter dose escalation trial, 60% of patients treated with gabapentin had moderate pain relief compared to 33% on placebo. Of the 165 patients, 67% achieved doses up to 3600 mg per day, 23% of these patients experienced adverse events particularly dizziness and somnolence. A randomized study comparing gabapentin and amitriptyline did not show any difference in efficacy between the two drugs.¹¹⁵

Pregabalin is structurally related to gabapentin and has a six-fold higher binding affinity for α2-δ subunit of voltage-activated calcium channels but has no action on GABA or benzodiazepine receptors.¹¹⁷ It inhibits the release of excitatory neurotransmitters including glutamate, substance P, and CGRP.^118,119 In a pooled analysis of seven randomized clinical trials of 5–13 weeks duration involving a total of 1510 patients, pregabalin at varying doses (150, 300, 600 mg) demonstrated a significant reduction in mean pain score. There was better efficacy with higher doses but these were associated with increased incidence of side effects. Adverse effects included giddiness, tremors, dry mouth, and peripheral edema. Pregabalin-treated subjects demonstrated greater weight gain but this did not affect diabetes control. The conventional starting dose of pregabalin is 75 mg twice daily but this can be slowly titrated to 300 mg in divided doses over 1 week or more.^120,121

Sodium channel blockers

Carbamazepine has been traditionally used for neuropathic pain and the use is limited by its side effects (dizziness, nausea, skin rash, and rare cases of leucopenia) and limited efficacy data. Studies have shown lamotrigine can attenuate the pain of DPN but the data on topiramate is equivocal.^122–126

Lacosamide is an antiepileptic drug used as adjunctive therapy for partial-onset seizures. Studies suggest that lacosamide selectively enhances slow inactivation of voltage-gated sodium channels and unlike other anticonvulsants it does not influence fast sodium channel inactivation. The mechanism of action includes interaction with collapsin response mediator protein 2, which plays an important role in regulating microtubule assembly in neurons.⁹⁹ Lacosamide has been evaluated in a number of studies and in an 18-week, Phase III, double-blind RCT, lacosamide in doses of 200, 400, 600 mg was effective at pain relief in DPN. Similarly, in another Phase III trial of 400 mg/day of lacosamide there was an improvement in Likert pain score compared to placebo. Most frequent adverse events are headache, nausea, and vertigo.^127–129

Topical applications

Topical capsaicin cream

Capsaicin is a naturally occurring pungent substance in red peppers and causes analgesia through local tissue depletion of substance P, which is considered to be the primary neurotransmitter of painful stimuli from the periphery to the central nervous system. In randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled trials in patients with DPN; capsaicin cream has been associated with statistically significant improvement in symptoms and quality of life. Pooled data analysis of six trials involving 656 patients, showed that the relative benefit of topical capsaicin (0.075%) compared with placebo was 1.4 (95% CI: 1.2–1.7) and NNT was 5.7 (4.0–10.0).¹³⁰ It is recommended that the duration of treatment should not be more than 8 weeks, although there were no detectable adverse effects on sensory function in diabetic patients. However, a study in healthy subjects showed 74% decrease in epidermal nerve fibers as early as 3 days, which may be a mechanism of analgesia, thus raising caution for its use in insensitive diabetic foot.¹³¹

Topical lidocaine

In an open-label trial, the use of 5% lidocaine patches, (up to four patches for 18 hours/per day) significantly improved pain and quality of life score in 56 subjects with painful DPN.¹³² In another open-label study of 204 patients with DPN, the noninferiority of 5% lidocaine patch compared to pregabalin was evaluated. Pain response rate was comparable between the two treatment groups and lidocaine showed greater improvements in quality of life and had fewer side effects.^132–134 Lidocaine patches are often utilized in concert with other analgesic agents.

Opioids

Opioid receptors are distributed throughout the nervous system and are involved in pain transmission and control, including primary afferent neurons, spinal cord, midbrain, and thalamus. Opioids produce effects on neurons by interacting with receptors located on neuronal cell membranes. The action of opioids at the presynaptic nerve terminal is to prevent neurotransmitter release and they exhibit inhibitory effects at the postsynaptic neuron. Tramadol acts directly via opioid receptors and may have an effect on postsynaptic neurons apart from acting indirectly via monoaminergic receptor systems. The efficacy of tramadol has been studied in a 6-week multicenter trial, which included 131 patients with painful DPN. There was 44% pain relief in the tramadol treated group compared to 12% on placebo. Common side effects are nausea and constipation.¹³⁵ Stronger opioids such as controlled release oxycodone in doses of 10 to 60 mg appear to be effective and safe in the treatment of DPN based on data from two randomized clinical trials. Opioids are a useful adjuvant to the treatment of painful DPN along with antidepressants.^136,137

Other agents

Several other approaches have been evaluated to relieve pain in DPN.

Topical agents

Among the topical agents, isosorbide nitrate spray has shown promising results in a placebo-controlled pilot study of 22 DPN patients, which elicited a reduction in overall neuropathic pain and burning sensation.¹³⁸ Similar results were also obtained by the use of glyceryl trinitrate patches in 18 patients with DPN with 44% reporting a reduction in pain.¹³⁹

The combination of 4% amitriptyline and 2% ketamine (EpiCept NP-1) is being evaluated in Phase IIB study. A borderline significant reduction in pain intensity has been demonstrated.¹⁴⁰ Topical clonidine (0.1% gel) has been evaluated in a Phase II, double-blind RCT in 166 subjects with DPN. A 30% reduction in pain was achieved in 47.2% of study subjects using the gel compound compared to 29.3% on placebo.¹⁴⁰

Taurine

Taurine is an antioxidant with effects on neuronal calcium signaling which resembles pregabalin in diabetic rodent models.¹⁴¹ Taurine treatment has been shown to improve nerve blood flow and electrophysiological parameters and exhibit analgesic properties. A Phase II clinical trial utilizing a dose of 3 g/day in subjects with DPN is ongoing.

Acetyl-L-carnitine

Acetyl-L-carnitine (ALC), the acetylated ester of the amino acid L-carnitine, has been studied in patients with DPN. ALC therapy has been associated with significant improvement in pain scores in one of the two identically designed randomized, placebo-controlled trials in patients with DPN at doses of 1000 mg three times daily. This benefit needs to be confirmed in future studies.^142,143

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories

NSAIDs may be effective in DPN patients with underlying musculoskeletal or joint abnormalities by modulating the nociceptive and inflammatory pain pathways. Ibuprofen at a dose of 600 mg four times daily and sulindac at a dose of 200 mg twice daily can provide pain relief in DPN.¹⁴⁴

Failure to respond to pharmacological agents may require referral to a pain clinic at which specialized techniques such as transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), percutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, or spinal cord electrostimulation should be considered.

Management of focal neuropathies

Few systematic studies have addressed the optimal approach to the management of most focal neuropathies. Diabetic amyotrophic may benefit from use of steroid and immunoglobulins. There are also anecdotal reports of insulin being beneficial.^43–45 The management for foot drop secondary to peroneal nerve damage is supportive including splints. Surgical decompression can be of value in median nerve entrapment and has been utilized in other compression focal neuropathies.¹⁴⁵

Treatment algorithm based on present evidence

The first-line treatments based on clinical trial evidence are an SNRI, an α-2-δ agonist, or TCA. Thus, duloxetine, pregabalin, or amitriptyline would be the drugs of choice as initial therapy after consideration of factors such as comorbidities and cost. Duloxetine is contraindicated in patients with liver disease and pregabalin should be avoided in those with edema. Cardiovascular disease or cardiac autonomic neuropathy (CAN) may preclude the use of amitriptyline. If pain control is not adequate, then a combination of first-line therapies could be considered before utilizing opioids¹⁶ (Figure 4).

Figure 4.

Clinical pain syndromes.

Abbreviations: DPN, diabetic polyneuropathy; SNRI, serotonin noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor; SSRIs, selective serotonin ruptake inhibitors; TCA, tricyclic antidepressant; NSAID, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

Conclusions

DPN remains a common and disabling complication of diabetes. The initial treatment of DPN should focus upon the identification of risk factors and intensification of metabolic control, the implementation of a diabetic foot care program in subjects with insensitivity, and the provision of adequate pain or symptom relief to improve quality of life. In some patients, negative symptoms (ie, numbness or loss of function) are as disabling as positive symptoms such as pain and are perhaps more challenging to treat. Patient education is the key and pathophysiology of the disease should be explained and a treatment plan agreed upon. The psychological consequences of DPN should be sought and treatment offered. Symptoms that interfere with sleep are particularly disabling. Therapeutic strategies should be individualized taking into consideration underlying patient comorbidities. It is also important not to ignore multifactorial risk interventions such as weight reduction and smoking cessation along with blood pressure and lipid control. Improving patient mobility and the instigation of exercise regimens can be helpful in reducing symptoms. Newer techniques such as magnetic resonance imaging, IENFD, and corneal confocal microscopy are offering new insights into the pathogenesis of pain and small sensory fiber damage in DPN and directing the development of therapeutic agents (Table 3). Despite the relative lack of success of interventional agents to slow or reverse established DPN, approaches such as gene therapy to promote neurotrophism and the targeted delivery of antioxidant therapy may in the future offer the best potential to reverse this common and disabling complication of diabetes.

Table 3.

Newer agents for diabetic peripheral neuropathy

Compound	Indication	Stage of development	MOA
Tectin	DN	Preclinical	Sodium channel antagonist
	Post-op pain
	Post-herpetic
	Cancer related pain
Amitriptyline + ketamine	DN	Phase II	TCA, SNRI, NMDA antagonist
	Post-herpetic
Clonidine, topical	DN	Phase II	Alpha 2 adrenoreceptor agonist
Coleneuramide	DN	Phase II	NGF modulator
Indantadol	DN	Phase II	NMDA antagonist and MAO inhibitor
	Post-op pain
Radiprodil	DN	Phase II	NMDA 2B receptor antagonist
SB-509	DN	Phase II	Gene therapy VEGF
	PVD
Acetyl L-carnitine	DN	Phase III	Antioxidant and affects Na/K ATPase, NO, PGN
Fidarestat	DN	Phase III	AR inhibitor
Lacosamide	DN Epilepsy	Phase III	Enhances the inactivation of slow voltage-dependent NA channels.
	Fibromyalgia
Memantine HCL	DN	Phase III	NMDA antagonist
Nabiximols	DN	Phase III	Cannabinoid receptor 1 agonist
	MS
	Cancer pain
Ranirestat	DN	Phase III	AR inhibitor
Ruoxistaurin mesylate	DN	Phase III	PKC inhibitor
	DR
	DNeph
Tapentadol, ER	DN Post-op pain	Phase III	Dual mu-opioid receptor agonist and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor

Abbreviations: AR, aldose reductase; DN, diabetic neuropathy; DR, diabetic retinopathy; DNeph, diabetic nephropathy; MAO, mono amine oxidase; MOA, mechanism of action; MS, multiple sclerosis; NGF, nerve growth factor; NMDA, N-methyl-D-aspartate; NO, nitric oxide; PGN, prostaglandin; PKC, protein kinase C; PVD, peripheral vascular disease; SNRI, serotonin noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor; TCA, tricyclic antidepressant; VEGF, vascular endothelial growth factor.