[Systematic aspects and therapy of diabetic neuropathy]

Diabetic neuropathy (DN) is an important complication contributing to high morbidity and morbidity of diabetic subjects. Primarily, interventional strategies aim at normalization hyperglycemia (to prevent development and progression of DN), at early diagnosis and at prevention of ulcers and amputations. In addition, an increasing number of pharmaceutical agents is used to symptomatically treat dysesthesia and pain associated with DN. During recent years attempts have been made to pharmacologically treat DN by acting on underlying patho-physiological mechanisms (e.g. sorbitol pathway, non-enzymatic glycation, microvascular abnormalities). So far, these strategies have not changed clinical praxis. This review will give a systematic overview of DN and summarize current pharmacological options to symptomatically treat dysesthesia and pain associated with DN.