• Margot Geerts, Sabine A N T Landewé-Cleuren, Marleen Kars, Hubertus J M Vrijhoef, and Nicolaas C Schaper.
• Departments of Patient and Care Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Medical University Center Maastricht, P. Debyelaan 25, Maastricht, The Netherlands. m.geerts@mumc.nl.
• Pain Med. 2012 Oct 1;13(10):1324-33.

Objective  To improve the care of patients with painful diabetic polyneuropathy (PDP) by a specialized outpatient clinic for individuals referred by general practitioners and to determine the effects on pain, quality of life, and patient satisfaction.Material And Methods  One hundred twenty-one patients were prospectively enrolled. At baseline and after 12 months at end of treatment, patients filled in a set of validated questionnaires on severity and interference of pain, quality of life, anxiety and depression, and patient satisfaction with the service offered.Setting  The outpatient clinic is part of a regional chronic care management program, which includes both hospital-based endocrinologists and general practitioners.Results  Twenty-eight patients (27%) did not need any further treatment after one visit to the outpatient clinic. As initial drug, pregabalin was the most commonly prescribed drug (65%); amitriptyline was prescribed in only 30% due to its contraindications. Improvements were found in all pain scores (P < 0.05). Pain interference was improved in sleep (P < 0.01), general activity, and mood (P < 0.05). More than half of the patients (65%) were satisfied with the treatment and wished no further medication changes; 52% had a treatment success defined as pain relief ≥ 30%. Medication was stopped due to inefficacy in 9% of patients and changed due to adverse effects in 20% of the patients.Conclusions  A specialized outpatient clinic for patients with PDP is an effective health care service. Using diagnostic instruments and a defined treatment algorithm, significant pain reduction was achieved in the majority of patients in a relative short period of time.Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

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