The effect of alpha lipoic acid on quality of life in patients with type 2 diabetic peripheral neuropathy

Abstract

Objective To observe the effect of alpha lipoic acid on quality of life in patients with type 2 diabetic peripheral neuropathy. Methods 76 cases diagnosed with type 2 diabetic peripheral neuropathy,in accordance with the random number table,were divided into the control group(37cases) and treatment group(39cases).All the patients received diabetic diet,exercise guidance and blood glucose control.The control group was treated with methycobal 500μg muscle injection once a day for 2 weeks.The treatment group was treated besides above treatment with intravenous drip alpha lipoic acid 600mg once a day was added for 2 weeks.Then,the changes of motor nerve conduction velocity,sensory nerve conduction velocity and quality of life(QoL) score(somatic symptoms,cognitive function, health happy feeling,social participation,emotional state,work performance,life satisfaction and total score)of the two groups after treatment were observed. Results After treatment,the motor nerve conduction velocity of the control group were as follows:median nerve(40.7±4.5)cm/s,common peroneal nerves(41.3±4.9)cm/s,The sensory nerve conduction velocity of the control group were as follows:median nerve(38.6±4.3)cm/s,common peroneal nerves (38.3±4.5)cm/s.After treatment,the motor nerve conduction velocity of the treatment group were as follows:Median nerve(45.4±5.7)cm/s,common peroneal nerves(44.9±6.4)cm/s,The sensory nerve conduction velocity of the treatment group were as follows:Median nerve(45.0±2.0)cm/s,common peroneal nerves(43.6 ±3.2)cm/s.Both the two groups' motor nerve conduction velocity and sensory nerve conduction velocity were significantly increased after treatment(P< 0.05).Compared with control group,the motor nerve conduction velocity and sensory nerve conduction velocity in the treatment group were significantly improved after treatment,which had statistically significance,(t= 2.63,2.51,2.85,2.79,all P< 0.05).After treatment,the somatic symptoms,cognitive function,health happy feeling,job performance,social participation,emotional state,life satisfaction and the total score of control group were(52.4±9.6)points,(27.0±7.8) points,(35.7±10.3) points,(19.6±7.3) points,(17.4±3.1) points,(16.5±3.9) points,(185.4±40.7)points,respectively.After treatment,the somatic symptoms,cognitive function,health happy feeling,job performance,social participation,emotional state,life satisfaction and total score of treatment group were(41.9±7.4) points,(24.1±8.6) points,(28.3±9.2) points,(14.5±5.5) points,(12.6±5.6) points,(11.9±4.7)points,(135.0±38.7)points,respectively.The quality of life score of the treatment group was obviously lower than the control group,which had statistically significance,(t= 5.14,2.54,2.96,2.87,2.69,3.05,6.25, all P<0.05). Conclusion Alpha lipoic acid can improve the nerve conduction function of patients with type 2 diabetes peripheral neuropathy,and improve the quality of life. Key words: Diabetic neuropathies; Quality of life; Alpha lipoic acid