Perspectives of Rehabilitation in Diabetic Neuropathy

Diabetic Neuropathy (DN) is a complication that affects at least half of the patients with Diabetes Mellitus. Unlike other symptoms and signs that may sooner alarm the patients, DN manifestations tend to be rather silent, and so usually neglected by the patient for a long period of time, which can last for years. Therefore it’s a “hidden complication of diabetes” label. Unfortunately, it is only when symptoms already affect the quality of life that the treatment becomes challenging when it comes to speaking of either etiological, symptomatic or rehabilitation strategies. Early diagnosis can also be tricky while aiming for lifestyle corrections and proper individualized treatment strategies. Rehabilitation methods for DN aim especially towards the improvement of articulation mobility and muscular strength amelioration, the suggested brief review of literature promoting this part of therapy essential for both prevention and amelioration of overall morbidity. Keywords: diabetic neuropathy, physical therapy, interdisciplinary approach, quality of life,

THE ROLE OF PHARMACISTS IN EVALUATING AND INTERVENING THE PATIENTS WITH DIABETIC NEUROPATHY

Diabetic neuropathies is the presence of and/or signs of peripheral nerve dysfunctions in people with diabetes after the exclusion of other causes. The purpose of this study was to estimate the prevalence and risk factors for diabetic peripheral neuropathy, to evaluate the score of neuropathy, and also to determine the effect of pharmacist intervention towards diabetic neuropathy patients at Gatot Soebroto Hospital Jakarta in 2013. Data about socio-demographic characters, age, duration of diabetic, blood glucose, blood pressure, cardiovascular diseases, lifestyle BMI and smoking were collected. Pharmacist intervention was given to increase patient information about diabetic neuropathy and its risks factors. There were 59 respondents involved in this study. It can be found that 15.3% respondents had mild diabetic peripheral neuropathy, 1.7% had moderate diabetic peripheral neuropathy, 1.7% had severe diabetic peripheral neuropathy, and as much as 81,4% respondents had no neuropathy. There was a correlation (but not statistically significant) between diabetic peripheral neuropathy and its' risks factors such as ages, duration of diabetes, sex, cardiovascular disease (hypertension, cardiac disease)and lifestyle(smoking habit and body mass index). Pharmacist intervention showed an increase on the patients knowledge about diabetic neuropathy and also a significant decrease on the patient's blood glucose level (P˂0,05).Keywords : diabetic neuropathy, pharmacist role, prevalence, score, risk factors, blood glucose.