Humanistic and economic burden of painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy in Europe: A review of the literature

•A formal review was conducted for painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy (PDPN).•European PDPN prevalence ranges from 6% to 34% in diabetic patients.•PDPN is associated with reduced HRQoL as a result of the symptoms.•PDPN patients incur high health care costs and have impaired work productivity.•The burden from PDPN appears to be higher with increasing pain severity.

AimsPainful diabetic peripheral neuropathy (PDPN) is a common complication of diabetes mellitus. A systematic literature review was conducted to provide an overview of published literature in the last 10-years on the epidemiology, humanistic burden and economic burden of PDPN in Europe.MethodsA search was performed according to pre-defined strategy and review criteria in Embase, Pubmed, and conference proceedings databases from 2003 till December 2012. In total, 30 publications written in English covering the relevant patient population and topics of interest.ResultsEuropean prevalence ranges from 6% to 34% in diabetes mellitus patients. PDPN has a significant humanistic and economic impact. Patients are limited in their general functioning and their ability to sleep and often experience anxiety and depression. Not surprisingly, PDPN is associated with reduced Health-Related-Quality-of-Life (HRQoL). PDPN patients incur high health care costs due to hospitalizations and outpatient visits. In addition, the painful symptoms cause impaired work productivity. Studies suggest both humanistic and economic burden increase with higher pain severity.ConclusionsThe burden from PDPN appears to be higher with increasing pain severity. More severe pain leads to a higher impairment in daily functioning, sleep and HRQoL. Higher pain intensity also leads to increasing healthcare costs and work productivity losses.