Intrathecal ropivacaine versus bupivacaine in a non-obstetric population- A meta-analysis and trial sequential analysis.

Background And Aims: Intrathecal bupivacaine is used for anaesthesia and analgesia but is associated with hypotension. Ropivacaine is an alternative drug that may have fewer cardiotoxic and neurotoxic events. This meta-analysis investigated whether intrathecal ropivacaine is associated with reduced hypotension as compared to bupivacaine.

Early Detection of Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy: A Focus on Small Nerve Fibres.

Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) is the most common complication of both type 1 and 2 diabetes. As a result, neuropathic pain, diabetic foot ulcers and lower-limb amputations impact drastically on quality of life, contributing to the individual, societal, financial and healthcare burden of diabetes. DPN is diagnosed at a late, often pre-ulcerative stage due to a lack of early systematic screening and the endorsement of monofilament testing which identifies advanced neuropathy only.