P&G Health commemorates Neuropathy Awareness Week 2023 

P&G Health, the health care division of Procter & Gamble, makers of Neurobion, announced its ‘Put Life Back in Your Hands’ campaign for the second consecutive year commemorating Neuropathy Awareness Week 2023 across 18 countries in Asia Pacific, Middle East, and Africa. Peripheral neuropathy (PN) is a chronic clinical condition, wherein the peripheral nervous system is damaged, affecting 34–35% of the UAE population with diabetes9. Symptoms of peripheral neuropathy include numbness, tingling, prickling, and burning sensations in the hands and feet. Sufferers of PN report impacts on their quality of life including reduced physical abilities and poor sleep.

With diabetes mellitus being the leading cause of PN, the increasing prevalence of PN is closely linked to the rise in the number of diabetic patients. The total number of diabetes patients in Asia Pacific, the Middle East and Africa is forecast to reach 603 million by 20452, with an estimated 50% of diabetic patients developing Peripheral Neuropathy during their life. Besides diabetes mellitus, aging, alcoholism, and B vitamin deficiencies are other high-risk factors leading to peripheral nerve damage.

Tarek Abdelaziz, General Manager at P&G Health, Middle East said, “Neuropathy can significantly impact a person’s quality of life and lead to serious complications if left untreated. For the second consecutive year, P&G Health – a global leader in Nerve Health – is donning the purple ribbon for ‘Neuropathy Awareness Week’ to raise awareness about the condition. Through an activation at public places such as hospitals, and malls in UAE, our goal is to help individuals recognize symptoms of peripheral neuropathy and seek timely appropriate treatment. We believe that by working together, we can make a significant impact on the lives of those affected by this condition.”

• Symptoms of Peripheral Neuropathy (PN) are often misinterpreted by primary care physicians as many patients have difficulty describing their symptoms and therefore are not treated correctly3.
• Patients are often not aware of symptoms and their association with nerves or ignore them. A recent survey indicated that up to 57% of type 2 diabetic patients were undiagnosed with painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy4.
• If PN is not diagnosed early and treated timely, it may progress into neuropathic pain which significantly impacts the quality of life, social life and working life5.
• Painful diabetic PN is significantly associated with disruptions in employment status and work productivity. Of working patients, 59% reported being less productive at work 6.

Vitamins B1, B6, and B12 play essential roles in the maintenance of a healthy nervous system. Vitamin B1 provides energy to the nerves, vitamin B6 helps with signal transmission in nerves, and vitamin B12 helps with neuronal regeneration.

NEW RESEARCH STUDY

P&G Health is committed to initiating and supporting research in the area of nerve health and peripheral neuropathy.

An in-vitro study initiated by P&G Health found that neuronal health, as defined by cell viability, neurite growth and the generation of a healthy neurite network significantly improves when nerve cells were grown under vitamins B1, B6, and B128.

• In the absence of B vitamins, cell viability was impaired and thus neurite growth at days 3 – 4 was seen decreasing the area of cell body clusters and reducing neurite length.
• The study showed that when Vitamin B1, B6, and B12 were added to nerve cultures, there was an increase in total neurite length of 124% and an increase in the total cell body area of 55%.
• The Nerve network of cells nourished with B1, B6, and B12, was more than doubled.

Dr Jalal Nafach, a Consultant Physician & Endocrinologist at Emirates Hospital and Dubai Diabetes Centre, commented, “Peripheral Neuropathy is a common complication of diabetes where early diagnosis and treatment can prevent further nerve damage and improve quality of life. Symptoms of peripheral neuropathy include numbness, tingling, and pain in the hands and feet, which can be managed with medication and lifestyle changes. Initiatives such as P&G Health’s ‘Neuropathy Awareness Week’ campaign are in huge need to help raise awareness about PN, encourage individuals to take proactive steps towards managing the condition, and provide support and resources for those living with neuropathy.”

As part of Neuropathy Awareness Week, we are reaching out to consumers directly at hospitals and pharmacies to drive awareness of peripheral neuropathy and the importance of healthy nerves. We are also engaging with Health Practitioners via an exclusive webinar featuring health experts from the UAE and Saudi Arabia aimed at providing a platform to promote education and awareness on Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy and the importance of early diagnosis. The webinar aims to provide insights into the latest advancements in neuropathy treatment and management, as well as practical tips on how to prevent and manage the condition. Participants will have the opportunity to ask questions and interact with the speakers,” Abdelaziz added.