Meanwhile, Dr. Rizaldy Pinzon (Neurologist at Neurology Department, Bethesda Hospital, Yogyakarta – Indonesia) said that as a medical professional, it is crucial to emphasize the significance of timely treatment for Peripheral Neuropathy (PN).
Ahead of World Diabetes Day, P&G Health hosted a scientific forum highlighting the importance of increasing awareness of Peripheral Neuropathy. Hosted out of Jakarta and simulcast to 6 countries, the signature event was attended by more than 1000 healthcare practitioners from across Asia-Pacific, the Middle East, India, and Africa.
The forum saw deliberations on the latest clinical guidance and research findings on diagnoses and treatment of Peripheral Neuropathy in Diabetes and Pre-Diabetes. At the forum, the NEW findings of the NENOIN Clinical Studies were also unveiled showing innovative results, which concluded that treatment with a fixed dose combination of vitamin B1, B6, and B12 led to significant improvement in nerve function measured via ankle reflexes, knee reflexes, muscle strength, and sensory perception in toes and fingers of patients with peripheral neuropathy.
With Diabetes Mellitus Type 2 being the leading cause of PN, the increasing prevalence of PN is closely linked to the rise in the number of diabetic patients. Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy (DPN) is the result of damage to the nerves impacting quality of life of people as they are not able to go about their daily lives as comfortably.
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What are the symptoms?
According to experts, symptoms of PN include numbness, tingling, prickling, and burning sensations in the hands and feet. B vitamin deficiency and polymedication are other high-risk factors along with diabetes, leading to peripheral nerve damage.
Published studies across different countries confirm that up to 80 percent of patients with PN remain undiagnosed and untreated.
“As a partner to International Diabetes Federation (IDF), P&G Health is committed to continued efforts to raise awareness on Diabetes and its associated complications including Peripheral Neuropathy and Vitamin B Deficiency. An estimated 1 in 2 Diabetics 2 and 1 in 10 3 Pre-diabetics suffer from Peripheral Neuropathy, while Vitamin B Deficiency affects the quality of life of ~19% of all people with diabetes. As part of our 2023 World Diabetes Day Initiative, our ‘#KNOWTHESIGNS Scientific Forum saw a multidisciplinary panel of experts from across the globe and the region come together to share their clinical recommendations on diagnoses and management of Peripheral Neuropathy in Diabetes and Pre-diabetes, impact of Vitamin B Deficiency on Quality of Life and the role of B vitamins in supporting healthy nerve functions,” Aalok Agrawal, Senior Vice-President, P&G Health, Asia, India, Middle East & Africa said during the forum on Monday.
What is the status of Peripheral Neuropathy in India?
On the status of Peripheral Neuropathy in India, Dr. Vaishali Deshmukh (Consultant and Head of the Endocrinology Department at Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital (DMH) Erandawane Pune – India) told Financial Express.com that in India prevalence of neuropathy is around 50 percent at the time of diagnosis of diabetes.
“Diabetes neuropathy manifests in the organs before it manifests somatically and hence Dr do you feel that autonomic neuropathy needs to be looked prior and earlier to peripheral neuropathy evaluation,” Dr. Deshmukh said.
Unfortunately, India has become the diabetes capital of the world, she pointed out.
“With 74.2 million people living with diabetes and an alarming prevalence of pre-diabetes in India, half of these individuals are at risk of developing DPN. Collaborative efforts between healthcare professionals, patient education, and early referral to specialists are essential steps to improve the management of DPN in India,” she added.
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‘Early diagnosis is crucial’
During the forum, Prof. Rayaz. A. Malik (Assistant Dean for Clinical Research at Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar) said that early diagnosis of DPN allows for timely risk factor reduction and improvement of this most common disabling complication of diabetes.
“Primary care physicians play a pivotal role in recognizing DPN. Asking the right questions and undertaking simple diagnostic testing can have a major positive impact on the lives of patients with DPN by enabling pain relief and prevention of foot ulceration and amputation. Leveraging advanced diagnostic tools like Corneal Confocal Microscopy (CCM) and AI introduces a new paradigm to the early diagnosis and management of DPN,” Malik said.
Meanwhile, Dr. Rizaldy Pinzon (Neurologist at Neurology Department, Bethesda Hospital, Yogyakarta – Indonesia) said that as a medical professional, it is crucial to emphasize the significance of timely treatment for Peripheral Neuropathy (PN).
“Initiating treatment promptly can provide substantial benefits in managing symptoms and mitigate further neurological damage. Timely intervention can enhance sensory perception, alleviate painful symptoms, and prevent complications such as infections, ulcers and eventually diabetic foot amputation. It is important for primary care physicians to remain vigilant and promptly treat any alterations in the patient’s lower extremities, including numbness, paresthesia, or neuropathic pain,” Dr. Pinzon said.
According to NENOIN study results, the synergistic combination of vitamins B1, B6, and B12 can not only relieve symptoms but also significantly improve nerve function in patients with PN which is a critical learning, Dr Inna Eiberger, Global Medical Director, P&G Health Nerve Care Franchise shared.
“PN is associated with poor functional mobility and compromised motor symptoms, in addition to sensory symptoms. These symptoms significantly worsen the quality of life of patients,” she added.
