Alpha Lipoic Acid for Symptomatic Peripheral Neuropathy in Patients with Diabetes: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Objective. We performed a systematic review of the literature to evaluate the effects of alpha lipoic acid for symptomatic peripheral neuropathy in patients with diabetes mellitus. Research design and methods. The databases MEDLINE and EMBASE were searched using the key words “lipoic acid’’, “thioc...

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Main Authors: Gerritje S. Mijnhout, Boudewijn J. Kollen, Alaa Alkhalaf, Nanno Kleefstra, Henk J. G. Bilo
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2012-01-01
Series:International Journal of Endocrinology
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2012/456279
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author Gerritje S. Mijnhout
Boudewijn J. Kollen
Alaa Alkhalaf
Nanno Kleefstra
Henk J. G. Bilo
author_facet Gerritje S. Mijnhout
Boudewijn J. Kollen
Alaa Alkhalaf
Nanno Kleefstra
Henk J. G. Bilo
author_sort Gerritje S. Mijnhout
collection DOAJ
description Objective. We performed a systematic review of the literature to evaluate the effects of alpha lipoic acid for symptomatic peripheral neuropathy in patients with diabetes mellitus. Research design and methods. The databases MEDLINE and EMBASE were searched using the key words “lipoic acid’’, “thioctic acid’’, “diabet*’’, and the MeSH-terms “thioctic acid’’ and “diabetes mellitus’’. Randomised controlled trials using the TSS score as the outcome measure were selected and assessed for their methodological quality. Study selection and quality assessment were performed independently by three observers. Results. Overall, the pooled standardized mean difference estimated from all trials revealed a reduction in TSS scores of −2.26 (CI: −3.12 to −1.41; P=0.00001) in favour of alpha lipoic acid administration. Subgroup analyses of oral administration (−1.78 CI: −2.45 to −1.10; P=0.00001) and intravenous administration (−2.81 CI: −4.16 to −1.46; P=0.0001) confirmed the robustness of the overall result. Conclusions. When given intravenously at a dosage of 600 mg/day over a period of 3 weeks, alpha lipoic acid leads to a significant and clinically relevant reduction in neuropathic pain (grade of recommendation A). It is unclear if the significant improvements seen after 3–5 weeks of oral administration at a dosage of >600 mg/day are clinically relevant.
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spelling doaj-art-981ba3dc19fe4e0595148621f24df27a2025-08-20T02:10:09ZengWileyInternational Journal of Endocrinology1687-83371687-83452012-01-01201210.1155/2012/456279456279Alpha Lipoic Acid for Symptomatic Peripheral Neuropathy in Patients with Diabetes: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled TrialsGerritje S. Mijnhout0Boudewijn J. Kollen1Alaa Alkhalaf2Nanno Kleefstra3Henk J. G. Bilo4Department of Internal Medicine, Isala Clinics, P.O. Box 10400, 8000 GK Zwolle, The NetherlandsDepartment of General Practice, University Medical Centre Groningen, University of Groningen, P.O. Box 30001, 9700 RB Groningen, The NetherlandsDepartment of Internal Medicine, Isala Clinics, P.O. Box 10400, 8000 GK Zwolle, The NetherlandsDepartment of Internal Medicine, University Medical Centre Groningen, University of Groningen, P.O. Box 30001, 9700 RB Groningen, The NetherlandsDepartment of Internal Medicine, Isala Clinics, P.O. Box 10400, 8000 GK Zwolle, The NetherlandsObjective. We performed a systematic review of the literature to evaluate the effects of alpha lipoic acid for symptomatic peripheral neuropathy in patients with diabetes mellitus. Research design and methods. The databases MEDLINE and EMBASE were searched using the key words “lipoic acid’’, “thioctic acid’’, “diabet*’’, and the MeSH-terms “thioctic acid’’ and “diabetes mellitus’’. Randomised controlled trials using the TSS score as the outcome measure were selected and assessed for their methodological quality. Study selection and quality assessment were performed independently by three observers. Results. Overall, the pooled standardized mean difference estimated from all trials revealed a reduction in TSS scores of −2.26 (CI: −3.12 to −1.41; P=0.00001) in favour of alpha lipoic acid administration. Subgroup analyses of oral administration (−1.78 CI: −2.45 to −1.10; P=0.00001) and intravenous administration (−2.81 CI: −4.16 to −1.46; P=0.0001) confirmed the robustness of the overall result. Conclusions. When given intravenously at a dosage of 600 mg/day over a period of 3 weeks, alpha lipoic acid leads to a significant and clinically relevant reduction in neuropathic pain (grade of recommendation A). It is unclear if the significant improvements seen after 3–5 weeks of oral administration at a dosage of >600 mg/day are clinically relevant.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2012/456279
spellingShingle Gerritje S. Mijnhout
Boudewijn J. Kollen
Alaa Alkhalaf
Nanno Kleefstra
Henk J. G. Bilo
Alpha Lipoic Acid for Symptomatic Peripheral Neuropathy in Patients with Diabetes: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
International Journal of Endocrinology
title Alpha Lipoic Acid for Symptomatic Peripheral Neuropathy in Patients with Diabetes: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
title_full Alpha Lipoic Acid for Symptomatic Peripheral Neuropathy in Patients with Diabetes: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
title_fullStr Alpha Lipoic Acid for Symptomatic Peripheral Neuropathy in Patients with Diabetes: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
title_full_unstemmed Alpha Lipoic Acid for Symptomatic Peripheral Neuropathy in Patients with Diabetes: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
title_short Alpha Lipoic Acid for Symptomatic Peripheral Neuropathy in Patients with Diabetes: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
title_sort alpha lipoic acid for symptomatic peripheral neuropathy in patients with diabetes a meta analysis of randomized controlled trials
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2012/456279
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