Survey reveals an overview of patient experience with pDPN

Painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy (pDPN) is the most common chronic complication of diabetes mellitus resulting from nerve damage in patients’ lower limbs. pDPN is a form of neuropathic pain caused by a lesion or disease of the somatosensory nervous system.

Generally, a quarter of patients with diabetes experience pDPN, which causes various types of pain in their legs and feet. The types of pain may be depicted as burning, prickly, stabbing, electric shocks, or tingling, and bring about feelings of anxiety, worry and fear among patients. [J Pain Res 2023;16:2269–2285]

Viatris recently conducted a survey involving 963 patients from Italy, Spain, Malaysia, Mexico, and South Korea to gain an understanding of the impact of neuropathic pain and unmet needs of patients with diabetes. [ELMA Research online interview to NEP associated with diabetes sufferers’ sample in Spain, Italy, Mexico, Malaysia and South Korea, promoted by Viatris, 2023] Among survey respondents in Malaysia, 68 percent claimed to be aware that their pain symptoms were associated with diabetes before they were diagnosed with pDPN. For the rest, their first symptoms of pDPN led them to think the symptoms were related to the ageing process (40 percent) and linked to other existing conditions (25 percent); some believed the pain would be temporary (36 percent); and that it would resolve itself (39 percent).

The survey noted that diagnosing pDPN was quite a challenging process. More than two-thirds of respondents claimed to have been misdiagnosed before they were correctly diagnosed with pDPN. Most respondents in all the countries consulted a physician within 4 months and were diagnosed within 6 months after onset of their symptoms. Healthcare professionals who diagnose pDPN in Malaysia were found to be endocrinologists (68 percent) alongside GPs (7 percent) and pain specialists (5 percent).

Almost 50 percent of respondents reported pDPN affected their quality of life (QOL) very much or completely. In Malaysia, three-quarters of respondents had to modify their work schedules while 61 percent took extended leave to cope with the condition. Also, pDPN impacted their overall mood (37 percent), ability to play sports (48 percent) and the quality of their sleep (37 percent).

Although pDPN significantly impacts patients, only 20 percent of respondents felt that they could share about their condition without any restrictions. In Malaysia, about half of respondents dreaded discrimination, 46 percent were worried about obstacles at work and 38 percent were not comfortable with sharing their condition with others.

Early diagnosis and treatment may curb disease and enhance QOL
Patients should be diagnosed early and treated appropriately for neuropathic pain such as pDPN to ensure the underlying disease is contained and patients’ QOL is enhanced. Almost 60 percent of respondents in Malaysia reported they were on prescription medication with 23 percent of them very much or completely satisfied with their treatment. Other treatments included dietary supplements for 55 percent of respondents, physiotherapy for 48 percent and herbal remedies for 33 percent. Overall, almost half felt that they had adequate support from their loved ones and 51 percent endured the condition.

Although the respondents reported they were contented with the information provided about diabetes-related chronic pain and their treatment options and outcomes, 44 percent of respondents in Malaysia were worried about not making full recovery and 42 percent felt like a different person than before they developed pDPN. Most respondents experienced subsiding symptoms, but 44 percent reported having intense pain.

“At Viatris, we are committed to supporting people living with painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy as the associated chronic pain significantly impacts patients’ quality of life. This is why we continue our efforts to raise awareness on the importance of early detection and access to the correct treatment as well as listen to the unmet needs and challenges that people with this condition still face today,” said Jeff Bote, Country Manager of Viatris Malaysia.

Awareness of pDPN and its symptoms would have led 1-in-3 global respondents to consult their doctor early with the ability to describe their symptoms clearly, and not underestimate the condition. While about one-third of respondents in Malaysia preferred to receive more information on daily management of diabetes-related chronic pain, 47 percent expressed their need for psychological support, and 43 percent felt the public should be more aware of the burden of the condition.

pDPN a common cause of chronic pain worldwide