Table 4.

The diagnostic criteria for distal symmetric polyneuropathy proposed by the Diabetic Neuropathy Study Group, Japan (the original version was published in 2004; the revised version was published in 2005)

Prerequisite condition (must meet the following two items)

1. Diagnosed as diabetes

2. Other neuropathies than diabetic neuropathy can be excluded

Criteria (meet any two of following three items)

1. Presence of symptoms considered to be due to diabetic polyneuropathy

2. Decrease or disappearance of bilateral ankle reflex

3. Decreased vibration in bilateral medial malleoli

Diabetic neuropathy has no specific symptoms or assessments and no global consensus has been reached on its diagnostic criteria. Thus, while a comprehensive assessment is required to establish its diagnosis based on neurological symptoms and laboratory test results, the validity of the criteria proposed by the Japanese Study Group of Diabetic Nephropathy [12, 13] is thought to be high enough for routine clinical use