Abstract            Volume:4  Issue-3  Year-2016         Original Research Articles

Online ISSN : 2347 - 3215 Issues : 12 per year Publisher : Excellent Publishers Email : editorijcret@gmail.com

Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) is a common, symptomatic, long-term complication of diabetes mellitus. This study was undertaken to compare the efficacy and safety of alpha-lipoic acid supplementation in diabetic neuropathy patients. This was a prospective observational study. The patients were categorized into two groups, Group I included those patients who were prescribed alpha lipoic acid while group II patients received placebo irrespective of their antidiabetic treatment. Each patient was initially accessed and followed up at 12 weeks. Demographic details, presenting symptoms, history of diabetes, laboratory values pertaining to diabetes(Fasting blood sugar, Post prandial blood sugar and HbA1c) were recorded. Nerve conduction velocity (NCV), Intensity of pain, using a visual analogue scale (VAS), diabetic neuropathy symptom (DNS) score and diabetic neuropathy examination (DNE) score, were assessed at baseline and then at 12 week follow-up. Data of 72 patients was analysed. There was statistically significant improvement in NCV, VAS, DNS and DNE score of the patients Results of this study suggest that treatment with Alpha Lipoic acid gives improvement in diabetic neuropathy. Although promising, further studies are needed to assess long-term treatment of ALA in large sample of population.

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