[Pharmacological treatment of diabetic neuropathy in the elderly]

Diabetic neuropathy is the third most common complication of diabetes mellitus. When this neuropathy is accompanied by pain, it requires a specific treatment. In the elderly patient, the pain has an enormous impact on quality of life, as it is associated with anxiety, depression and sleep disorders, leading to a direct impact on the functionality of the patient. Likewise, there are a number of changes at the central and peripheral nervous system, which contribute to the chronicity of painful processes, and eventually also affect and impact on the quality of life of elderly patients. It is fundamental before initiating treatment, to know of all aspects related to drug pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, especially those related to aging, because this will allow you to select the best drug for each patient. This article aims to review the pathophysiological concepts related to diabetic neuropathy in the elderly and the best treatment options.