Experts discuss benefits of new treatment for "nerve pain" sufferers

They were joined by one of the world's leading pain consultants, Professor Bruce Nicholson, from the Pennsylvania State School of Medicine in the United States.

A series of meetings to analyse and discuss the diagnosis, signs and new treatments for neuropathic pain were held in Jeddah and Riyadh.

Nerve pain, which is often misdiagnosed, is a particular problem for diabetics with 50 percent of sufferers experiencing nerve pain sometime in their lives. Diabetes is highly prevalent throughout the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in particular Diabetes Mellitus type 2.
It's known that as many as one in four GCC nationals sufferers with diabetes.

New figures released by the World Health Organization have revealed that in 2000 there were 15.2 million diabetics aged between 35-64 in the Middle East region with the figure predicted to rise to 42.6 million by 2030.

Diabetic nerve pain results from nerve damage which occurs when blood sugar levels are too high. Damaged nerves become over-excited and send too many signals throughout the body causing the diabetic pain sufferer to feel sharp or burning sensations.

Chairing the meeting in Riyadh on November 13 was Dr. Ali Al Shoaibi, Pain Consultant, at King Abdel Aziz medical city, Riyadh.

A key development in the treatment of the condition has been the recent FDA-approval of Lyrica which works by attaching to over-firing nerve cells, reducing the pain signals that cause the symptoms of diabetic nerve pain.

The drug delivers fast and sustainable control of neuropathic pain and associated symptoms and has been centrally approved in all GCC countries. It has already been launched in the UAE and Kuwait.

Dr Shoaibi said: "Nerve pain is a very serious problem with people living large parts of their lives in excruciating pain. With the right treatment the symptoms of the chronic pain can be suppressed allowing sufferers a much better quality of life."

Lyrica is also effective in the treatment of central neuropathic pain, which is the most severe form of nerve pain associated with conditions such as spinal injuries and multiple sclerosis.

Nerve pain afflicts thousands of people across the Middle East with experts indicating that as many as 2.4 percent of the population suffer with the problem. The problem is also exacerbated with age affecting eight percent of older people.

Professor Nicholson held a series of presentations in Jeddah, Khobar and Abha on November 12 and in Riyadh on November 13.