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Positive and negative sensory symptoms are very common in nerve damage related to diabetes, one of the largest burden in public health worldwide. Patients with diabetes and neuropathy comprise a substantial proportion, even in those with only glucose intolerance, a “pre-diabetic” condition. Symptoms of diabetic neuropathy range from mild numbness and pins and needles in stocking distribution, evolving into painful burning feet with sharp electrical sensations. Much interest has been given to the mechanisms behind nerve damage in diabetes despite of which the understanding of pain mechanisms is incomplete. However, genetic characterisation of these patients and unravelling molecular mechanisms underlying neurophysiological disturbances will help develop strategies for prevention and treatment of this rather common painful condition.
Sensory dysfunction and pain are the most common and intractable treatment-limiting factors, and among the most distressing symptoms of cancer patients receiving chemotherapy. Sensory disturbances in chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) range from numbness (paresthesia) and unpleasant tingling (dysesthesia) to painful cramps, deep muscle aches, and spontaneous burning pain. These symptoms are usually symmetrical in a stocking-and-glove distribution and refractory to remedy. The incidence and severity of these symptoms are correlated with duration and dose such that nearly all patients treated with paclitaxel, vincristine, platinum-based agents, or bortezomib experience symptoms, often forcing discontinuation of cancer therapy, which reduces survival.
Co-chair: Mario Campero, MD (Chile)
Co-chair: Patrick Dougherty, PhD (USA)
David Bennett, PhD (United Kingdom)
Margarita Calvo, PhD (Chile)
Robert Edwards, PhD (USA)
Sam Eldabe, MD (United Kingdom)
Nanna Finnerup, MD (Denmark)
Simon Haroutounian, PhD (USA)
Aki Hietaharju, MD, PhD (Finland)
Peter Kamerman, PhD (South Africa)
Marzia Malcangio, PhD (United Kingdom)
Esther Pogatzki-Zahn, Prof. Dr. med, (Germany)
Theodore Price, PhD (USA)
Srinivasa Raja, MD (USA)
Andrew Rice, MBBS MD FRCA FFPMRCA (United Kingdom)
Annina Schmid, PhD (United Kingdom)
Emiko Senba, MD, PhD (Japan)
Blair Smith, MD (United Kingdom)
Maree Smith, PhD (Australia)
Claudia Sommer, MD (Germany)
Jan Vollert, MsC (United Kingdom)
David Yarnitsky, MD (Israel)