Efficacy of Platelet Rich Plasma Injection in Diabetic Neuropathy

Background: Neuropathy is a common complication of diabetes mellitus (DM) with a wide clinical spectrum that encompasses generalized to focal and multifocal forms not only leads to an impaired quality of life, but also to an increased morbidity and mortality . Till now there is no available effective therapy for the treatment of diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN). Autologous platelet-rich plasma is easy and cost-effective method as it provides necessary growth factors that promote wound healing/growth, angiogenesis, and axon regeneration .

Objective: To evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of peri-neural platelet rich plasma (PRP) injection in the treatment of diabetic peripheral neuropathy compared to traditional medical treatment.

Method : Prospective double blinded randomized controlled trial was conducted . All included patients had type 2 DM selected from Endocrinology unit Department of Internal medicine, Assuit university Hospital, Egypt . DPN of at least 5 years duration of symptoms . Patients with other causes of neuropathy like hereditary neuropathies , entrapment neuropathies ,connective tissue diseases , vertebral diseases ,thyroid disorders and end organ failure were excluded . Neuropathy was assessed by the modified Toronto Clinical Neuropathy Score (mTCNS) 2001 (3) , Baseline pain and nerve conduction studies were done. Then they were double blindly divided into two groups, Group I underwent PRP preineural injection under ultrasound guidance plus medical treatment . Group װreceived medical treatment only( control group) . Blood glucose was strictly controlled in both groups . Patients were followed every month for 3 months by mTCNS and by nerve conduction studies. Results were expressed as means ± standard deviation or frequencies. Independent Student's t test was done for comparison between groups

Inclusion criteria

• Diabetic peripheral neuropathy of at least 5 years duration of symptoms

Exclusion criteria

• hereditary neuropathies , entrapment neuropathies , connective tissue diseases , vertebral diseases , thyroid disorders and end organ failure