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Burden of Illness of Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathic Pain: A Qualitative Study

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Abstract

Introduction

Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) is the result of nerve damage in the toes, feet, or hands, causing loss of feeling or pain for up to 50 % of patients. The purpose of this qualitative study was to assess the burden and impact of DPN pain (DPNP) symptoms on patient’s functioning and well-being.

Methods

Four focus groups and 47 telephone interviews were conducted to understand the experience and impacts of DPNP from the patient’s perspective. All participants were over the age of 18 years, read/spoke English, had a documented diagnosis of DPNP with symptoms for 6 months and a minimum 12-month history of diabetes mellitus, and had a daily pain rating of at least 4 on an 11-point numerical rating scale. Interview transcripts were analyzed thematically based on modified grounded theory principles.

Results

There were 70 respondents—48 (68.6 %) males and 22 (31.4 %) females. The mean age was 54.0 years (range 26–70), and nearly all respondents had type 2 diabetes (87 %). Analysis identified four major areas of impact; DPNP patients reported difficulties with: (1) physical function, i.e. walking, exercise, energy, standing, balance, bending, and mobility; (2) daily life, i.e. productivity, recreational activities, work, enjoyment, focus, and chores; (3) social/psychological, i.e. anxiety, friends/family, irritability, depression, and fear; and (4) sleep, i.e. sleep, falling asleep, waking in the night, returning to sleep, and not feeling rested upon awakening.

Conclusion

DPNP is a significant complication of diabetes with multiple impacts for patient functioning and well-being, which increase the burden of disease.

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Acknowledgments

This study was funded by Forest Research Institute. M. Brod is a consultant to Forest Research Institute; B. Pohlman was a consultant working with The Brod Group at the time the study was conducted; R. Carson and A. Ramasamy are employees of Forest Research Institute; S. Blum was an employee of Forest Research Institute at the time this study was conducted; and R. Carson, A. Ramasamy and S. Blum own stock and/or stock options in Forest Laboratories.

M. Brod participated in the study design, data analysis and interpretation, and manuscript preparation; B. Pohlman assisted in data analysis and manuscript preparation; R. Carson participated in study design and manuscript preparation; and A. Ramasamy and S. Blum assisted with study design, data interpretation and manuscript preparation. M. Brod is the guarantor of the overall content of this manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. The Brod Group, 219 Julia Avenue, Mill Valley, CA, 94941, USA

    Meryl Brod & Betsy Pohlman

  2. Forest Research Institute, Harborside Financial Center, Plaza V, Jersey City, NJ, USA

    Abhilasha Ramasamy & Robyn Carson

  3. GlaxoSmithKline, Collegeville, PA, USA

    Steven I. Blum

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  1. Meryl Brod
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  2. Betsy Pohlman
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  4. Abhilasha Ramasamy
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Correspondence to Meryl Brod.

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Brod, M., Pohlman, B., Blum, S.I. et al. Burden of Illness of Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathic Pain: A Qualitative Study. Patient 8, 339–348 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40271-014-0093-9

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