Clinical experience with cyclandelate in insulin-dependent diabetic patients with neuropathy

Previous trials have demonstrated a clinical and electrophysiological improvement of diabetic peripheral polyneuropathy in diabetic patients treated with cyclandelate at a dosage of 1600 mg/day. Hence, a double-blind randomised trial was started in 16 insulin-dependent diabetic patients presenting with symptoms of neuropathy, an increased vibration perception threshold (VPT), disturbed tendon reflexes at lower limbs and an EMG showing a significantly decreased motor nerve conduction velocity (MCV) of the peroneal nerves. The placebo-treated group and the cyclandelate-treated group were not significantly different regarding age, duration of diabetes and level of metabolic control (measured as total HbA1), which remained unchanged during the year of observation. In the cyclandelate-treated group, pathological sensation improved significantly in 7 of 8 patients. MCV, measured under standardised conditions, increased significantly during the first 6 months of treatment, while mean VPT did not change. In the placebo group 3 of 8 patients showed an improvement of sensation, 3 did not feel any change and 2 worsened. Neither mean MCV nor VPT changed significantly. No severe side effects were observed during the study period.