About World Diabetes Day
In 1991, World Diabetes Day was established by the International Diabetes Federation and the World Health Organisation in response to growing concerns about the escalating health threat posed by diabetes. Diabetes affects 8.5% of the total adult population. The 2022 theme is ‘Access to Diabetes Care’, and argues that:
1. Millions of people with diabetes around the world do not have access to diabetes care.
2. People with diabetes require ongoing care and support to manage their condition and avoid complications.
3. We cannot wait any longer for:
a. Medicine, technologies, support, and care to be made available to all people with diabetes that require them.
b. Governments to increase investment in diabetes care and prevention.
Pain and diabetes
Pain and diabetes commonly co-exist. Elevated sugar levels can gradually produce tissue damage at different levels of the nervous system, causing painful neuropathies. The most complicated one is distal symmetrical polyneuropathy (DSPN), affecting up to 50% of patients with diabetes. Symptoms commonly begin at the toes, before progressively affecting the feet and lower legs. Other forms of diabetic neuropathy may coexist, including cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy or atypical forms of diabetic neuropathy (e.g., carpal tunnel syndrome).
There is strong evidence that diabetes increases the risk of tendon pain, and diabetes commonly co-exists with other musculoskeletal pains including spinal pain, hip, and knee pain.
Assessing and managing diabetic neuropathy
The EFIC Academy Education Platform includes extensive content on the assessment and management of neuropathic pain including diabetes neuropathies. Learners will be able to pursue self-directed learning or follow specific tracks relevant to needs. Access will be limited to Academy members only.
To download World Diabetes Day’s comprehensive resources including social media tookits, please visit: https://worlddiabetesday.org/
