Peripheral Nerve Block in Patients With Painful Diabetic Polyneuropathy

Launched by UNIVERSITY OF AARHUS · Jan 6, 2021

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is looking at a treatment called a peripheral nerve block to help relieve pain in people with painful diabetic neuropathy, a condition that causes discomfort due to nerve damage from diabetes. The study aims to understand how this treatment can affect spontaneous pain in individuals who have been experiencing neuropathic pain for at least six months.

To participate, you need to be at least 18 years old and have symptoms of diabetic neuropathy confirmed by specific signs, such as reduced sensation and reflexes in your legs. Participants will not need to stop their regular pain medications for the study. However, some people may not be eligible, including those with other pain issues, certain medical conditions, or those who cannot communicate in Danish. If you join the trial, you can expect to receive the nerve block treatment and be monitored for its effects on your pain. This research is important as it may lead to better treatments for those suffering from neuropathic pain.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Aged 18 years or older.
• • Probably diabetic neuropathy confirmed using the Toronto criteria in a "conservative manner", i.e. three out of three symptoms/signs of neuropathy must be present (sensory neuropathy symptoms, distal reduced sensibility, reduced ankle reflexes) 7.
• • Definite or probable neuropathic pain for minimum the last 6 months
• • Mean pain intensity at \> 4 NRS the last week17.
• • Since we expect a large effect of the block it is not necessary to discontinue pain medication.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Other causes of pain in the same area or other pain that cannot be distinguished from the neuropathic pain.
• • Unable to understand and speak Danish.
• • Non-cooperative.
• • Warfarin or other medication that contraindicate regional anesthesia.
• • Infection in the injection area.
• • Allergy to lidocaine.
• • Pregnancy or lactating (fertile women must to show negative pregnancy test or use anticonception).
• • Severe psychiatric disease e.g. severe depression during the last 6 months.
• • Alcohol or drug abuse.