Short term fluctuations in blood glucose concentrations do not alter pain perception in diabetic-patients with and without painful peripheral neuropathy.

Previous studies have suggested that acute hyperglycaemia may affect pain thresholds in non-diabetic subjects. We investigated the effects of acute fluctuations in blood glucose on the perception of pain in diabetic patients with and without painful diabetic neuropathy. Rapid swings in blood glucose concentration produced by IV glucose injection did not alter heat pain thresholds in diabetic patients without symptomatic neuropathy. Also, marked changes in neuropathic pain were not accompanied by significant alterations in blood glucose concentration in diabetic patients with painful neuropathy. Therefore, the alleged effects of acute hyperglycaemia on pain perception described in non-diabetic subjects are not reproduced in diabetic patients.