Neuropad in the news

The phrase "prevention is better than cure" remains largely unfulfilled in the UK, despite government efforts to shift the NHS focus from treatment to prevention. The Wanless review, commissioned in 2002, emphasized health improvement as essential for reducing NHS demand, yet progress has stagnated, with life expectancy declining for many. To make prevention a reality, action is crucial, especially as chronic illnesses rise, leading to economic inactivity and avoidable deaths. The UK spends £100 billion annually on obesity, disproportionately affecting poorer communities, highlighting a failure in social justice. Preventive measures in nutrition,...

A recent study has identified that the sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor dapagliflozin, a medicine used to treat type 2 diabetes, can help to regenerate small nerve fibre and so reduce or reverse the impacts of diabetic peripheral neuropathy. This study reinforces the benefits of early detection of small nerve fibre degeneration using Neuropad®, as breakthrough technologies make nerve regeneration a possibility. Overall, this is an important study that highlights a potential neuroprotective effect of SGLT2i therapy and supports the need for larger, double-blind, and longer-term trials. About the study Aims To evaluate the effect...

A recent study investigated the relationship between autonomic neuropathy and subclinical carotid atherosclerosis (SCAS) in individuals with type 2 diabetes. The research involved 1,788 participants and utilized non-invasive methods to assess autonomic function and carotid artery health. Key findings include: 24% of participants exhibited autonomic dysfunction. Those with autonomic dysfunction had a higher prevalence of SCAS (68.1% vs 58.3%). Individuals with SCAS showed lower autonomic function scores and a higher proportion of autonomic abnormalities. After adjusting for confounding factors, including HbA1c, autonomic dysfunction was significantly associated with an increased risk of SCAS (odds ratio...

A new review examines the growing incidence of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) in young populations, addressing its causes, risk factors, and complications. It emphasizes the significance of early identification and treatment, advocating for a comprehensive, family-oriented approach to managing T2DM in children and adolescents, with a focus on dietary, physical activity, and lifestyle modifications. Methodology A comprehensive literature analysis was performed using PubMed, Google Scholar, and Scopus databases, incorporating research from 2015 to 2024 on T2DM in young individuals. The review concentrated on epidemiological data, risk factors, and preventive measures, excluding...

The direct costs of diabetes in 2021/22 for the UK were estimated at £10.7 billion, of which just over 40% related to diagnosis and treatment, with the rest relating to the excess costs of complications. Indirect costs were estimated at £3.3 billion. A pragmatic review, commissioned by Diabetes UK and carried out by York Health Economics Consortium, shows that the NHS spends £10.7bn a year on diabetes, about 6% of the UK health budget.   The review of relevant data sources for UK nations includes population-level data sets and published literature, to...

Neuropad has been featured in an article in the Mail on Sunday Health Supplement, written by Martyn Halle and Jonathan Neal. A SIMPLE ten-minute DIY test can help spot the early signs of a potentially deadly foot problem that affects diabetics before symptoms strike. The tiny stick-on plaster is able to flag up if a patient is suffering from peripheral neuropathy, where the nerves in the legs and feet lose function and sensitivity. The condition hits half of people with diabetes and increases the risk that small cuts or blisters on the feet...

Delegates at an international diabetic neuropathy conference heard how a painless home test provides a valid and accurate check for diabetic autonomic neuropathy (DAN). A study presented at the recent NeuroDiab medical conference in Thessaloniki, Greece, shared the results of research into the effectiveness of Neuropad, a non-invasive home test that provides an early warning of diabetes related foot problems. Damage to the nerves in the feet due to diabetes can result in the sweat glands not producing enough moisture, leading to dry and cracked feet. Sudomotor dysfunction is one of the earliest indicators of...

Since 2013/14, there has been a growth in the volume and value of clinical negligence claims involving patients with diabetes-related lower limb complications. The majority of claims have involved patients with a diabetic foot ulcer who went on to undergo a major lower limb amputation. Major amputation is a life changing event for a person with diabetes, but the tragedy is all the greater if it could have been prevented. In such circumstances, at the very least, all possible lessons should be learnt from the circumstances surrounding such amputations and patient...