Phosphodiesterase 5 Inhibitors and Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic debilitating medical condition. The global prevalence of diabetes is estimated to reach 7.7% by 2030.^[1] Despite numerous advances in the care and management, there is still substantial morbidity and mortality in diabetic patients because of complications associated with it. Peripheral neuropathy is one of the most disabling complications of diabetes. It has been found that the decrease in the peripheral nerve conduction velocity in diabetic neuropathy may be attributed to the vascular dysfunction, segmental demyelination, and axonal degeneration. Therefore, decreased blood flow to the distal nerves due to axonal degeneration of the peripheral nerves leads degeneration of the nerve fibers presenting with symptoms of numbness, loss of sensation, and pain in the hands and feet. Read more....