JEDDAH: The commonest cause of peripheral neuropathy is diabetes, Dr. Rayaz A. Malik, professor of medicine and consultant physician at the division of cardiovascular medicine, Manchester Royal Infirmary and University of Manchester, told a seminar here on Tuesday night.

“Pain occurs in 30 percent of diabetic patients with neuropathy,” he added. It is extremely distressing for the patient and poses significant difficulties in management, as no treatment to date provides total relief and the side effects of therapy limit dose titration, he said.

Peripheral neuropathy is a long-term complication of diabetes, both type 1 and type 2.

It is caused by prolonged exposure to excessive blood glucose levels and affects the nerves of the extremities, most commonly the feet and lower legs. The longer a person has diabetes, the greater the risk of painful neuropathy.

Symptoms of neuropathy include numbness, tingling or prickly feelings, usually in the feet. As it advances, intense burning pain can become an issue.