Diabetes care
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Topical capsaicin in painful diabetic neuropathy. Effect on sensory function.
To examine the effect of capsaicin on sensory function in painful diabetic neuropathy. ⋯ Although our results and those of others show no adverse effects of topical 0.075% capsaicin on human sensory function, even in subjects with preexisting neuropathic sensory impairment, the small number of subjects tested does not justify an inferential statement on safety. Further studies in more subjects are warranted to ensure the long-term safety of capsaicin for pain relief in humans.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Topical capsaicin in painful diabetic neuropathy. Controlled study with long-term follow-up.
We conducted an 8-wk controlled study with topical 0.075% capsaicin in subjects with chronic severe painful diabetic neuropathy who were unresponsive or intolerant to conventional therapy. Capsaicin is an alkaloid found in capsicum peppers and produces desensitization to noxious thermal, chemical, and mechanical stimuli when applied topically. ⋯ Results from this preliminary study suggest that topical 0.075% capsaicin may be of value in subjects with diabetic neuropathy and intractable pain.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Lack of effect of clonidine and pentoxifylline in short-term therapy of diabetic peripheral neuropathy.
The goal of this study was to confirm or rule out anecdotal reports of beneficial effects of clonidine and pentoxifylline in the treatment of painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy. Clonidine was administered to 16 subjects at two dosage levels (0.1 and 0.2 mg/day) and was compared to placebo in a crossover design, with each phase lasting 4 wk. ⋯ There was a significant decrease in pain score from baseline with both active drugs (P less than 0.05), but this was no better than the response to placebo (P less than 0.30 for clonidine and P less than 0.95 for pentoxifylline). This study does not demonstrate a short-term benefit of either clonidine or pentoxifylline in the treatment of peripheral neuropathy.