Challenges in Diabetic Micro-Complication Management: Focus on Diabetic Neuropathy

Abstract

The progression of diabetes leads to macro and microvascular complications, including diabetic neuropathy, which is the most prevalent microvascular complication with diabetes. Clinical manifestations of diabetic neuropathy begin with the loss of distal sensory function, pain, and substantial morbidity. It has been evident that ~50% of diabetic patients develop neuropathy at a certain stage in their lifetime. Interestingly, two major subtypes (type I and II) of diabetes do not share the same epidemiology and pathophysiology of diabetic neuropathy; thus, their management or treatment strategies may vary from each other. The past few decades of research suggest that many etiological features, diagnosis, and management complexities depend on the type of diabetes. However, the underlying mechanism of neuropathy in type I and type II diabetes remains unclear. This review provides the current knowledge on successful assessment, management, and pharmacological biomarkers to explore the treatment and surpass current challenges in diabetic neuropathy.