Effectiveness of alpha-lipoic acid in patients with neuropathic pain associated with type I and type II diabetes mellitus: A systematic review and meta-analysis

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#humans #thioctic-acid #diabetes-mellitus-type-2 #neuralgia #antioxidants

Effectiveness of alpha-lipoic acid in patients with neuropathic pain associated with type I and type II diabetes mellitus: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Orellana-Donoso et al., 2023 | Medicine (Baltimore) | Meta Analysis

Citation

Orellana-Donoso Mathias, López-Chaparro Michelle, ... Valenzuela-Fuenzalida Juan José. Effectiveness of alpha-lipoic acid in patients with neuropathic pain associated with type I and type II diabetes mellitus: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Medicine (Baltimore). 2023-Nov-03;102(44):e35368. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000035368

Abstract

BACKGROUND: This systematic review explores the most current evidence regarding the mechanisms of neuropathic pain in patients with different types of diabetes and how this pain affects different functional and structural components of the neuroanatomical pain pathways. The review also seeks to provide guidelines for the best approach and treatment for patients experiencing this type of pain. The objective is to determine the effectiveness of alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) in improving functional and symptomatic outcomes in patients with diabetes mellitus type I and type II. OBJECTIVE: To determine the effectiveness of alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) in improving functional and symptomatic outcomes in patients with diabetes mellitus type I and type II. METHODS: We systematically search MEDLINE (via PubMed), EMBASE, SCOPUS, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, and Web of Science databases. RESULTS: The findings of this review show that different forms of ALA do not present statistically significant changes for any of the scales included, including total symptom score (standardized mean difference [SMD] = -3.59, confidence interval [CI] = -4.16 to -3.02, and P < .00001), neuropathy impairment score (SMD = -1.42, CI = -3.68 to 0.84, and P = .22), and neuropathy symptom checklist (SMD = -0.09, CI = -0.15 to -0.02, and P = .01). CONCLUSION: In comparison to the use of a placebo, the findings suggest that ALA does not exhibit significant differences in terms of pain reduction and different functional scales. Moreover, no specific dosages are identified to support the use of ALA for the reduction of neuropathic pain.

Key Findings

The findings of this review show that different forms of ALA do not present statistically significant changes for any of the scales included, including total symptom score (standardized mean difference [SMD] = -3.59, confidence interval [CI] = -4.16 to -3.02, and P < .00001), neuropathy impairment score (SMD = -1.42, CI = -3.68 to 0.84, and P = .22), and neuropathy symptom checklist (SMD = -0.09, CI = -0.15 to -0.02, and P = .01).

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population different types of diabetes
Sample Size See abstract
Age Range See abstract
Condition diabetes

MeSH Terms

  • Humans
  • Thioctic Acid
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2
  • Neuralgia
  • Antioxidants
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Meta Analysis
  • Publication Types: Meta-Analysis, Systematic Review, Journal Article
  • Vertical: ALA-diabetes

Provenance

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09