Ethiopian medical journal
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Ethiopian medical journal · Oct 2011
The prevalence, clinical features and management of periphral neuropathy among diabetic patients in Tikur Anbessa and St. Paul's Specialized University Hospitals, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Neuropathy is one of the common chronic complications of diabetes. There are many forms of diabetic neuropathy, one of which is distal symmetric polyneuropathy (DSP). There are only few data on diabetic neuropathy in Ethiopia. ⋯ Distal symmetrical polyneuropathy is common. The commonest presenting features are pain and loss of sensation. Duration of diabetes 10yrs, type 2 D, old age and hypertension were the major risk factors for DSP. Treatment of painful diabetic neuropathy was not optimal. RECOMMENDATIONSs: We recommend strengthening of routine screening for neuropathy, to emphasis on foot ulcer risk reduction, management of co-morbidities like hypertension and dyslipidemia, to optimize treatment of painful neuropathy.