Carlos Alberto Calderon Ospina
University of Rosario, ColombiaPresentation Title:
Neurotropic B vitamins and peripheral neuropathy: State of the art and agreement of experts
Abstract
Introduction: Peripheral neuropathy is a common neurological disorder with a wide range of etiologies, leading to significant patient disability and a high degree of underdiagnosis. Neurotropic B vitamins, including B1 (thiamine), B6 (pyridoxine), and B12 (cobalamin), have demonstrated potential benefits in the management of various forms of peripheral neuropathy. This review aims to summarize the current evidence on the role of these vitamins and establish recommendations for their use in clinical practice, particularly in the context of Colombia, where clinical guidelines are lacking.
Methods: An expert panel composed of clinicians and researchers from diverse fields, including neurology, endocrinology, pharmacology, and clinical epidemiology, reviewed available evidence on peripheral neuropathy. Data from international and local studies were analyzed to understand the epidemiology, diagnosis, and therapeutic potential of B vitamins in peripheral neuropathy.
Results: The estimated prevalence of peripheral neuropathy in Colombia is around 10%, with diabetic neuropathy being the most prevalent form. The panel recommends using tools such as DN4, MNSI, monofilament testing, and reflex assessments for early diagnosis in at-risk populations. Neurotropic B vitamins are suggested as adjunctive treatment options due to their neuroprotective properties, even in cases where vitamin deficiency has not been confirmed. Combined use of vitamins B1, B6, and B12 has shown to reduce neuropathic pain and improve nerve function in clinical studies.
Discussion: While the efficacy of neurotropic B vitamins in treating deficiency-related neuropathy is well-established, their role in other types of neuropathies remains under study. However, evidence indicates that their combined use can promote nerve regeneration and alleviate symptoms.
Conclusion: Neurotropic B vitamins are a safe and potentially effective therapeutic option for managing peripheral neuropathy. Their use should be considered as part of a comprehensive treatment strategy, particularly for patients with diabetes or nutritional deficiencies. Further research is needed to refine treatment protocols and establish specific guidelines for their use in various neuropathic conditions.
Biography
Carlos Alberto Calderon Ospina, MD, Master in Pharmacology, and PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences from the National University of Colombia. He completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Munich in Germany. Currently, he serves as an Associate Professor and Head of the Pharmacology Unit at Universidad del Rosario, Senior Researcher at the Colombian Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation, and Guest Editor of the journal Therapeutic Advances in Drug Safety. He was recently appointed Director of the Biomedical Sciences Research Group at Universidad del Rosario (UR-Biomed). During the second semester of 2024, he will hold the position of Visiting Faculty Member in Pharmacology at Inönü University in Malatya, Turkey. He is also an active member of several national and international scientific societies, contributing to the advancement of knowledge in clinical pharmacology and therapeutics. He has over 65 publications that have been cited over 1900 times, and his publication h-index is 19.