Diabetes Research

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NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - People with diabetes often suffer from chronic

and sometimes severe pain, and this can create difficulties for them in the

management of their condition and with self-care activities, researchers

have found.

" Many adults experience chronic pain, yet little is known about the

consequences of such pain among individuals with diabetes, " Dr. L.

Krein, of the University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, and

colleagues write in the medical journal Diabetes Care.

The researchers examined the effects of chronic pain on diabetes

self-management among 993 patients receiving care through the Department of

Veterans Affairs.

Chronic pain was defined as the presence of pain most of the time for at

least 6 months during the past year. Information was collected from the

participants using a written survey.

About 60 percent of the subjects reported having chronic pain. They tended

to be younger than those without chronic pain, female, more likely to be

using insulin and overweight.

A significant association was seen between chronic pain and poorer overall

diabetes control. Patients with chronic pain also had more difficulty

following recommended exercise and eating plans.

" Among patients with chronic pain, overall self-management was also

significantly poorer for those who indicated their pain was severe or very

severe compared with those who rated their pain as mild or moderate, " the

team reports. " Specifically, patients with severe pain reported more

difficulty with taking diabetes medications and with exercise. "

Based on the findings, Krein's group suggests that " chronic pain may be a

major limiting factor in the performance of certain self-care behaviors and

thereby reinforces the need to proactively address such potential competing

demands " for people with diabetes.

SOURCE: Diabetes Care, January 2005.