Epalrestat Delays Nerve Damage in Diabetic Patients
Long-term clinical effects of epalrestat, an aldose reductase inhibitor, on diabetic peripheral neuropathy: the 3-year, multicenter, comparative Aldose Reductase Inhibitor-Diabetes Complications Trial, by N. Hotta and colleagues. Diabetes Care 29:1538-1544, 2006.
What is the problem and what is known about it so far?
Diabetes commonly leads to nerve damage (diabetic neuropathy).
Why did the researchers do this particular study?
Epalrestat is a medicine used to treat diabetic neuropathy. This study was done to observe the long-term effects of the drug.
Who was studied?
A total of 594 patients with diabetic neuropathy.
How was the study done?
A total of 289 patients were given epalrestat, and 305 patients were not given any medicine. Three years later, the researchers checked on the patients’ nerve function.
What did the researchers find?
Patients who took epalrestat had better nerve function: less limb numbness, less cramping, and fewer sensitivity problems.
What were the limitations of the study?
During the 3-year study, some patients dropped out. More patients in the epalrestat group dropped out than in the group not taking medicine, which created a slight imbalance in the final number of subjects included in the results.
What are the implications of the study?
Long-term treatment with epalrestat can delay diabetic neuropathy, especially in patients with good blood glucose control.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Diabetic Neuropathy (Nerve Damage) and Diabetes
Additional Specific Types of Diabetic Neuropathy
101 Medication Tips for People With Diabetes
