Medical technology guidance,1 published by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), looks at a device that claims to reduce variability of diagnosis of diabetic peripheral neuropathy. The Clinical Services Journal reports on the guidance findings.
Damage to the peripheral nerves can cause numbness and tingling in the feet and hands, shooting pains, muscle weakness and loss of co-ordination in affected body parts. Nerve damage to the foot can also mean that injuries can go unnoticed and may, therefore, develop into an open sore on the foot – a diabetic foot ulcer. There is a risk that if the ulcer becomes infected the foot tissue may die, and the foot might have to be amputated.
Commenting on the subject, Professor Carole Longson, director of the NICE centre for health technology evaluation, said: “Diabetes is the most common cause of peripheral neuropathy in England, as the high blood sugar levels associated with diabetes can damage the nerves.” In the UK, there are over two million people with diabetes who are at risk of nerve damage.
The NICE Medical Technology Advisory Committee (MTAC) noted that detection, diagnosis and management of diabetic peripheral neuropathy is an important clinical area which has the potential to affect millions of people in the UK, and that small improvements in the timing and rate of diabetic peripheral neuropathy detection have the potential to impact substantially on clinical costs.
Log in or register FREE to read the rest
This story is Premium Content and is only available to registered users. Please log in at the top of the page to view the full text.
If you don't already have an account, please register with us completely free of charge.
