A Malaysian Expert Consensus on The Identification, Evaluation, and Pharmacological Management of Diabetic Sensorimotor Polyneuropathy.
Lim Lee-Ling LL, Foo Siew-Hui SH, Abdul Ghani Rohana R, Ibrahim Luqman L et al.
Diabetic sensorimotor polyneuropathy (DSPN), the most common form of diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN), is a chronic complication of diabetes associated with sensory loss, foot ulceration, lower-limb amputation, reduced quality of life, and increased mortality. Despite its substantial clinical burden, DSPN remains underdiagnosed and undertreated in Malaysia. This consensus aimed to develop practical, evidence-informed recommendations for screening, diagnosis, and management of painful and non-painful presentations of DSPN tailored to the Malaysian healthcare setting. An expert panel comprising 11 endocrinologists from public and private healthcare institutions in Malaysia was convened. Draft recommendations were adapted from international and local guidelines for Malaysian clinical practice. Consensus development involved pre-meeting review and anonymous voting, followed by structured face-to-face discussion. Consensus was defined as ≥80% agreement. The panel finalized 61 consensus statements covering screening, diagnosis, sensory examination, and treatment. Recommendations emphasize annual screening for all individuals with diabetes and clinical examination to detect sensory deficits, including in individuals without painful symptoms. Assessment should include multiple bedside tests to evaluate small- and large-fiber function and loss of protective sensation. Recommended tests include the 10-g monofilament, vibration and pin-prick testing, and the Ipswich Touch Test, particularly in resource-limited settings. Assessment of painful and non-painful symptoms should complement rather than replace objective examination. Validated screening questionnaires, including the Malay-language PainDETECT may support assessment. Management includes optimization of glycemic control, lifestyle interventions, adjunctive pathogenetically oriented therapies such as alpha-lipoic acid, and evidence-based pharmacological treatments including pregabalin, gabapentin, duloxetine, and tricyclic antidepressants. Routine opioid use is discouraged. This Malaysian expert consensus provides practical, context-specific recommendations for early detection, diagnosis, and management of DSPN. By adapting international guidance to local healthcare realities, these recommendations aim to improve care consistency, reduce DSPN-related complications, and enhance patient outcomes in Malaysia.