Section 12. Retinopathy, Neuropathy, and Foot Care
(https://doi.org/10.2337/dc23-S012)
Language regarding pregnancy as a risk factor for retinopathy in people with preexisting type 1 or type 2 diabetes was revised and updated.
Screening details about autonomic neuropathy were added to Recommendation 12.17.
Language was added to the neuropathy screening subsection to clarify that treatments of other modifiable risk factors (including lipids and blood pressure) can aid in prevention of diabetic peripheral neuropathy progression in type 2 diabetes and may reduce disease progression in type 1 diabetes.
Information was added to the “Diabetic Autonomic Neuropathy“ subsection to include criteria for screening for symptoms of autonomic neuropathy.
Additional references were added to support Recommendation 12.18.
Recommendation 12.20 was revised to reflect that gabapentinoids, serotoninnorepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, tricyclic antidepressants, and sodium channel blockers are recommended as initial pharmacologic treatments for neuropathic pain in diabetes and that health care professionals should refer to a neurologist or pain specialist when pain control is not achieved within the scope of practice of the treating physician.
New information was added in the “Neuropathy“ subsection, under “Treatment,“ to address lipid control and blood pressure control.
The “Neuropathic Pain” subsection includes an expanded discussion of treating neuropathic pain in people with diabetes. Recommendation 12.25 was added to address screening for peripheral arterial disease.
Recommendation 12.26 was revised to include peripheral arterial disease.
Recommendation 12.27 was edited to signify that not all people who smoke are referred to foot care specialists but that a referral is now recommended for people who smoke and also have other risk factors or symptoms.
Recommendation 12.29 was edited to reflect a change from “severe neuropathy“ to “loss of protective sensation,“ which is consistent with other recommendations.
Recommendation 12.30 was edited to reflect that topical oxygen therapy is not equivalent to hyperbaric oxygen therapy.