Patient perspectives on peripheral neuropathic pain experience within the community

Purpose of this cross-sectional study was to explore the relationship between neuropathic physical complaints (NPC) and quality-of-life (QoL) in community-dwelling patients with diabetes in Broward County, Florida. Adult patients were invited to complete a 10-minute paper questionnaire at a community hospital between October 2014-April 2016. Analysis of data from 124 participants (60 with distal symmetric polyneuropathy (DSPN) diagnosis versus 64 without DSPN diagnosis) with NPC, showed those with DSPN had a longer duration of diabetes, suffered a higher number of NPC, and had a lower QoL (all p≤0.001) with more impediments to performing daily activities. While differences in pain severity and QoL were present in patients with DSPN versus those without DSPN diagnosis, NPC were still reported by those without DSPN diagnosis. Healthcare providers are encouraged to identify possible NPC during earlier stages of glycemic dysregulation and address foot care issues promptly to mitigate the disease's effect on QoL.