Long-term hyperglycaemia in diabetes is associated with many manifestations of nerve damage – including erectile dysfunction, gastroparesis, neuropathic pain, faecal incontinence and bladder disturbances. 

While not all of us are tasked with treating cases of diabetic neuropathy, as nurses caring for people with diabetes we have a crucial role in identifying the signs and symptoms of nerve damage, understanding the options that exist for management, and knowing when it is appropriate to refer cases on. This is particularly important, as many neuropathic complications are devastating for the person with diabetes, and in some cases act as markers for other morbidities. Erectile dysfunction, for example, can be an indicator of underlying cardiovascular disease.

This exciting series of complimentary educational meetings aims to provide nurses working in diabetes with guidance on some of the many aspects of diabetic neuropathy, helping you translate theory into everyday clinical practice. We will examine the latest evidence and clinical guidelines on neuropathy, bring you up to date on the management options, and also consider erectile dysfunction in the context of testosterone deficiency. We look forward to welcoming you at the venue closest to you for what promises to be an informative and engaging afternoon! 

 March 2009/9LVT32

This meeting has been initiated and supported by Bayer Schering Pharma as a service to medicine.