Soon after last Thanksgiving, I wrote about a study published in the American Journal of Pharmacy Benefits suggesting a quick fix for peripheral neuropathy: Metanx. Far be it for me to denigrate any publication but I can't say that
AJPB is on my Top 10 list of journals that I regularly read. On the other hand, I do glance over my monthly eTOC (electronic table of contents) for the
American Journal of Medicine. And guess what I found? A
randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial concluded that 24 weeks of Metanx improved symptoms of diabetic peripheral neuropathy
Sure, the
manufacturer of
Metanx sponsored the trial, but it's not easy to sway the results of an RCT, at least not if it's under peer-review, so says my simpleton brain as I wear rose-tinted glasses. And just to be clear, I don't own any stock or receive any remuneration from PamLab, nor does anyone related to me. I just happen to find it intriguing that there is hope for this debilitating condition. And better yet, w/minimal side effects. Of course, I'd like it even more if larger studies (this latest one only included 214 diabetics split into two groups) for longer periods of time that weren't sponsored by the manufacturer came to similar conclusions.
In case you like to play the part of the devil's advocate, check out the
accompanying editorial that breaks down the trial and offers up ideas on what to do next.
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