Diabetic Neuropathy & Intradialytic Parenteral Nutrition

According to an article in Diabetes Forecast, "60 to 70 percent of people with diabetes have neuropathy." A strong correlation exists between uncontrolled diabetes, kidney disease and neuropathy. However, currently there are no studies linking intradialytic parenteral nutrition to the development or improvement of diabetic neuropathy.

Diabetic Neuropathy

• Neuropathy, a malfunction of the nervous system, ranges from numbness and tingling in the hands and feet (peripheral neuropathy) to severe complications in sight, pulmonary, digestive and motor functions. Diabetic neuropathy develops as a result of uncontrolled diabetes. Blood sugar and proteins build up in the blood stream causing damage to the nervous system.

Kidney Disease

• Diabetic patients develop kidney disease because of uncontrolled blood sugar, high blood pressure or long-term diabetes. Due to increased filtering of blood sugar and proteins the kidneys can fail over time requiring dialysis. Kidney disease can also cause neuropathy due to the build up of toxins in the blood stream.

Intradialytic Parenteral Nutrition

• Intradialytic parenternal nutrition (IDPN) is intravenous nutrition---usually essential vitamins, proteins, and carbohydrates---delivered during kidney dialysis to patients who have demonstrated clinical malnutrition. Most studies indicate that IDPN has no greater effect on a patient's nutritional health than oral supplements and increased caloric intake. Patients do not report any additional health benefits such as a reduction in neuropathic pain.