Damage to the peripheral nervous tissue

Aetiology

Risk factors

• Increased length of diabetes
• Poor glycaemic control
• More common in T1DM
• High cholesterol/lipids
• Smoking
• Alcohol
• Genetics
• Mechanical injury

Peripheral neuropathy

• Pain/loss of feeling in feet, hands
• Distal symmetrical or sensorimotor neuropathy
• 'Glove and stocking' distribution

Symptoms

• Numbness/insensitivity
• Tingling/burning
• Sharp pains or cramps
• Sensitivity to touch