Definition:

Diabetic neuropathies (DNs) are nerve-damaging disorders caused by diabetes. Diabetic neuropathy broadly comprises generalized symmetric polyneuropathies (acute sensory, chronic sensorimotor, autonomic) and asymmetric (focal and multifocal) neuropathies (cranial, truncal, focal-limb, proximal-motor, coexisting chronic inflammatory demyelinating), which affect all organs and systems. Of all types, diabetic sensorimotor polyneuropathy (DSPN), also called distal symmetric neuropathy, is the most typical form. Typical symptoms vary from person to person, but may include numbness, tingling, pain, or weakness that typically starts in the feet and progresses up the legs. This pattern of neuropathy shows a progressive distal axonopathy. It has been reported that vascular endothelial growth factor A is associated with DNs development and progression.