Diabetic neuropathy is one complication of diabetes with symptoms like tingling or numbness in hands and feet. The workers among the participants who have this condition lose about 1.4 hours a week which when calculated in dollar amount lost is equivalent to $3.65 billions per year.
The number of lost hours is more than two times of the time lost by diabetics with neuropathy than the employees who do not manifest the symptoms of diabetic neuropathy. This is the reason why the first group is much more expected to be without a job.
This study conducted by Geisinger Center for health research looked at 19,076 workers that included 1003 who had diabetes. Among this group, 38% reported tingling or numbness in their hands or feet. They compared the figures and found the lost time related to health was 18% higher among diabetics that reported the tingling or numbness sensations and the figure for the diabetics without the symptoms, is only 5% higher.
And this is the part of the finding that is difficult to accept. When the investigators compared the figures for the diabetics and the non-diabetics the result is that those with diabetes were about two times more to be unemployed than those without this condition.
Diabetic neuropathy as we know it has its cost to both patients and the society as immeasurable. What is this condition all about anyway? It consists of an assortment of syndromes affecting the motor nerve, autonomic and sensory functions.
The most common of this is what they call polyneuropathy which is the chief risk factor for ulceration in the foot. This could even lead to amputation. This is real because the forecast is that by 2010, globally there will be over 220 million diabetics.
Having said that, the estimate for people who have had this condition for 25 years and will develop diabetic neuropathy is in the vicinity of 50%. In 1986, USA spent approximately $240 million in the care of neuropathies. This amount will only increase with the rising trend of diabetes.
There is a need to identify the risk factors associated with diabetic neuropathy before the interventions can be laid out. Around 50% of diabetics have peripheral neuropathy which makes them susceptible to foot ulceration. Around 15% of these cases lead to amputation.
Speaking of cost, not only is the condition painful physically but also the quality of life is affected in a profound way. To avoid the pain for instance, the diabetics may stop their daily activities like going to work or visiting family and friends. This can make them anxious and eventually, they may become depressed.
So my friends, what does this mean to all of us? In my humble opinion, we have to continue with our lifestyle changes of eating less and moving more and follow the doctors' orders regarding medications and such. And let's keep monitoring our blood sugar level. Why? Because if we keep them as close to the normal target as possible, we will get rid of diabetic neuropathy.
Please visit these sites for more diabetes help:
Brief Biography: Dr. Guzman worked for the Atlantic Health Corporation and was consultant to St. Joseph's Hospital, Sussex Mental Health Clinic, and St. Stephen Mental Health Clinic for many years. He was Director of Forensic Psychiatry at Centracare for ten years and published numerous articles in the Journal of the American College of Forensic Psychiatry and other medical magazines.
Copyright c December 15, 2008 Roger Guzman, M.D. (Diabetic Neuropathy, The Cost is More Than the Money) All Rights Reserved. You may copy and publish this article as long as the text, the author's name, the active links and this notice remain the same.
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