Depression masquerading as diabetic neuropathy

Abstract

Patients [59] referred for painful diabetic neuropathy of the lower extremities were evaluated for depression and response to antidepressant drug therapy in a double-blind controlled study. All patients has substantial degrees of depression during psychiatric interview and by Kupfer-Detre test scores (8.1 .+-. 0.6, as compared with control values of 4.0-4.3 .+-. 0.2). Treatment imipramine hydrochloride or amitriptyline hydrochloride resulted in complete remission of lower extremity pains in all patients in 10 .+-. 2 wk, with concomitant relief of depression and return of depression test scores to 3.8. Apparently the syndrome of painful diabetic neuropathy of the lower extremities represents a depressive equivalent in a large proportion of cases and treatment with imipramine or amitriptyline is a successful mode of therapy for such persons.