Abstract
Introduction: Neuropathic pain is a painful condition that arises after a lesion or an insult to the somatosensory nervous system, either in a central or peripheral location. The most common cause of neuropathic pain is diabetes. Controlled trials have been conducted on recent advancements in medicine to investigate the effect of vitamin C in the treatment of neuropathic pain. In this study, we aim to investigate the role of vitamin C in reducing pain associated with diabetic neuropathy.Methods: This open-label, parallel-arm, interventional study was conducted in a public tertiary care hospital in Pakistan from April 2019 to March 2021. A total of 300 type II diabetic patients with newly diagnosed painful peripheral diabetic neuropathy, of either gender, were enrolled in the study. The intervention group received 60 mg duloxetine along with 200 mg oral vitamin C. The control group received 60 mg duloxetine without any additional intervention. Patients were asked to return for follow-up after 12 weeks.Results: The mean visual analog score (VAS) was significantly lower in both, the intervention (5.54 ± 0.81 vs. 6.72 ± 0.90; p-value: <0.0001) and the control group (5.91 ± 0.80 vs. 6.79 ± 0.94; p-value: <0.0001), at week 12 compared to day 0. However, in comparison, VAS score in intervention at week 12 was significantly lower as compared to the control group (5.54 ± 0.81 vs. 5.91 ± 0.80; p-value: 0.0002).Conclusion: The use of vitamin C could be cost-effective and would be a safe and useful adjunctive therapy for pain associated with diabetic peripheral neuropathy.
Highlights
Neuropathic pain is a painful condition that arises after a lesion or an insult to the somatosensory nervous system, either in a central or peripheral location
We aim to investigate the role of vitamin C in reducing pain associated with diabetic neuropathy
The mean visual analog score (VAS) was significantly lower in both, the intervention (5.54 ± 0.81 vs. 6.72 ± 0.90; p-value:
Summary
Neuropathic pain is a painful condition that arises after a lesion or an insult to the somatosensory nervous system, either in a central or peripheral location. Neuropathic pain is a painful condition that arises after a lesion or an insult to the somatosensory nervous system, either in the central or peripheral location [1]. It affects 7%-10% of the general population, producing a spontaneous ongoing shooting or an evoked pain after a noxious or non-noxious stimulus. Long-term complications of neuropathic pain depend upon the underlying pathology, but in general, if the symptoms persist for long they tend to become chronic and respond less to analgesics. Psychosocial symptoms like depression, anxiety, and sleep disturbances are frequently observed with chronic neuropathic pain, followed by physical disability and poor quality of life (QOL) [1]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
