Effectiveness of additional therapy with vitamin D (5.000 IU) on reducing diabetic neuropathy pain

Abstract

Background and objectives. Diabetic neuropathy is microvascular complication of diabetes mellitus that attacks the peripheral nervous system and manifested as persistent electrocution pain. Patients with diabetic neuropathy are often found in conditions of vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D has a neuroprotective effects that plays a role in increasing axonogenesis, preventing nerve degeneration, and is an anti-inflammatory agent that can reduce diabetic neuropathy pain. Determine the effectiveness of additional therapy with Vitamin D 5.000 IU on the reduction of diabetic neuropathy pain in patients with diabetes mellitus at Bethesda Hospital, Yogyakarta. Materials and methods. This study is a Randomized Controlled Trial that has been completed. Data were taken from patients with diabetic neuropathy diagnosed by Diabetic Neuropathy Examination and Diabetic Neuropathy Symptoms at Bethesda Hospital, Yogyakarta. There were 34 subjects involved and divided into two groups: treatment group given symptomatic therapy with additional Vitamin D 5.000 IU and the control group receiving only symptomatical therapy. Furthermore, pain intensity development data using VAS at weeks 0, 4, and 8 were analyzed using non-parametric Mann Whitney test. Results. Both groups experienced a decrease in pain intensity, but the treatment group which was given symptomatic therapy with additional vitamin D 5.000 IU was significantly better as seen from the difference between the VAS rate before and after therapy (p=0.010) (p<0.05). Conclusions. Additional vitamin D 5.000 IU in diabetes mellitus patients with diabetic neuropathic pain can decrease pain intensity better compared to just receiving symptomatic therapy.

Keywords

• diabetes mellitus
• diabetic neuropathy
• vitamin d