AbstractBackground and Purpose: Painful neuropathy is a common complication of diabetes mellitus and the clinical presentation of bilateral tingling and numbness, with sensory and/or motor deficits and autonomic dysfunction in both lower limbs is termed as diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) of distal symmetric polyneuropathy type. The objective of this paper was to perform a systematic review of articles on impact and burden of DPN in order to provide an evidence-informed reappraisal of existing findings. Materials and Methods: Systematic review using independent blinded search by search terms ‘diabetic neuropathy’ and ‘impact or burden’ was done to identify studies under four themes: impact of DPN on other factors; impact of other factors on DPN; impact of other factors on comorbidities in DPN; and, impact of comorbidities on other factors in DPN. Results- main findings: 29 studies were included for review and the multidimensional impact of DPN on individual in terms of physical and psychosocial influences; on the society in terms of work-related disability and healthcare utilization costs; and to the nation in terms of public health burden was consistently reflected across identified studies. Conclusion: DPN has a multidimensional impact on the person, society and nation, and is a physical, physiological, psychological and psychosocial burden for patients and their caregivers. A strong interdisciplinary collaborative working relationship is essential to combat the consequences of this disorder so that interventions might be aimed along a symptom control to quality of life continuum.
Keywords: Diabetic peripheral neuropathy; Public health burden; Health impact; Evidence-based practice.