Painful Diabetic Neuropathy (PDN)

The lifetime prevalence of DPN is estimated to be up to 50%, with 15% to 25% of diabetes patients experiencing neuropathic pain. Painful DPN is important because it has a negative impact on quality of life, leading to sleep disturbances, anxiety, and depression. 

Can you help me with my sleep?

Gabapentinoids, including gabapentin and pregabalin, are sometimes prescribed to help with sleep. However, recent evidence related to nerve injuries suggests that this approach may not be as previously thought. Although the findings pertain to a different type of nerve injury, they are compelling. 

No counting sheep here

In a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials involving patients with peripheral nerve injuries, the authors investigated whether gabapentinoids are more superior than a placebo for (1) reducing pain or (2) alleviating sleep disruption. The findings revealed that gabapentinoids did not reduce pain compared with placebo at one, two, and four months. Additionally, there was no significant differences in sleep interference between gabapentinoids and placebo from two to four months.