Dr. Ibrahim El Bayoumy
Background: Diabetic neuropathy is a serious complication of diabetes mellitus, it is a result from micro vascular injury that involves small blood vessels supplying the nerves(Vasa Vasorum), while the prevalence of diabetes mellitus is increasing globally, it is will be accompanied with increase in the rates of diabetic neuropathy and its sequalae.
Objectives: To elucidate the experiences and perceptions of diabetic patients with neuropathic pain and their priorities and strategies to cope with this pain.
Design: It is qualitative study design using face to face interviews; the collected data were analyzed using inductive thematic analysis.
Participants: The study included 21 diabetic patients with complaint with diabetic neuropathy.
Results: 4 themes were emerged from the data obtained from the patients' interviews, hearing from diabetic patients seeking help and advice, approach to management, patients 'perspectives and perceptions about physical activity and psychological coping strategies and patients ' fear from future complications.
Conclusion: the majority of patients expressed difficulties in their daily activities and sleep, some have found treatment is beneficial and others reported no effect of treatment, some of patients were coping with pain by their own strategies, some reputed their need to psychological consultation and others see no benefits from psychological interventions.