107 EPIDEMIOLOGY OF DIABETES NEUROPATHY IN SOUTH AMERICA

Abstract

Diabetes is the most common cause of neuropathy in the world and of course also in Latin America. The results of a big Latin American Pain Survey will be published soon so, we will be able to analyze the exact figures about this entity. Latin America has its own special problems in assessing, controlling and treating diabetes, more than 350 million people live in rural areas many times lacking even drinkable water. The basic medical services are also poor in health professionals, lab testing, medical and paramedical equipment and drugs for treating basic diseases such as diabetes. Nevertheless, many National Health Secretaries, WHO programs, NGO's and other private Foundations have managed during the last 15 years to introduce programs and founds to diagnose and treat diabetes so, the numbers of diabetes neuropathy have decreased since these efforts. The idea of treating Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathic Pain (DPNP) is now very clear in the entire region. Starts lowering glucose levels then administrate pain killers, from Aspirin to all the other NSAID's to Controlled Release Oxicodone (available just in a few cities of some countries). We know that almost half of all people with diabetes have some kind of neuropathy or nerve damage and this is associated with pain which can be difficult to treat, therefore we can start new assessment programs with early education, consequently a better comprehension of patient should be obtained as to what to expect when pain appears. Workshop — Basic Sciences 5: MOLECULAR AND SYNAPTIC MECHANISMS FOR NEUROPATHIC PAIN