Abstract

Mais Damani*, Yusra Damani and Doaa Alkhalidi

ABSTRACT

Background: Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is considered to be a very common disorder worldwide, affecting hundreds of millions of people all over the world. Diabetes can lead to severe complications and high prevalence of morbidities if not treated. Diabetic Neuropathy (DN) is the most common complication that may affect up to fifty percent of diabetic patients. B Vitamins play an important role in maintaining healthy nervous system.[1] Aim of the study is identify the healthcare professionals‘ point of view regarding the use of Vitamin B as prophylaxis in patients with DM. Methodology: this is considered as a cross-sectional study in which a questionnaire survey was distributed to physicians from Al Zahra Hospital, Dubai-UAE. 80 physicians from different specialties (GP, ICU, family medicine, internal medicine, neurologist and endocrinologist) were included in our study and the distribution of the questionnaire survey was from September 2021 to October 2021. Physicians from another specialties, and patients with or without diabetes were excluded from our study. Results: Regarding physicians; the significant results (P<0.05) shows that vitamin B complex is the most prescribed type among specialists and neurologists, and along with it they are using pregabalin in the management of diabetic neuropathy. Regarding pharmacists; the significant results (P<0.05) shows that most of the participating pharmacists were receiving up to 50 prescriptions that includes vitamin B complex. The more experienced and female pharmacists believe that vitamin B complex will decrease progression of diabetic neuropathy and should be started for patients that experience and DM symptoms more than less experienced and male pharmacists. Conclusion: Our findings were demonstrating that that Overall knowledge of vitamin B uses and effect as a treatment was more than the knowledge of it as a prophylaxis. In conclusion we suggest highlighting this topic and to start getting more clinical trials on the use of vitamin B as a prophylaxis therapy in diabetic patient to avoid its complications, prevent nerve damage and development of diabetic neuropathy and its symptoms.