Results from two surveys conducted by Versta Research will be presented in the coming months at scientific meetings sponsored by the American Diabetes Association (ADA) and the International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP).

Patient Perspectives on Pain Severity in Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy will be presented at the ADA’s 73rd Scientific Sessions, June 21-25, 2013 in Chicago, Illinois. Painful Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy: Results of a Survey Characterizing Perspectives and Misperceptions of Patients and Healthcare Practitioners is being presented at the Fourth International Congress on Neuropathic Pain, May 23-26, in Toronto, Canada.

Both presentations were developed from research that was sponsored through a collaboration between the American Chronic Pain Association (ACPA) and Pfizer, Inc. to help shed light on communications gaps between people with diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) and healthcare providers.

The research involved two surveys: One was a survey of 1,004 U.S. adults diagnosed with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes who experience symptoms of diabetic peripheral neuropathy; the other was a survey of 500 healthcare professionals in clinical practice who treat people with diabetes, including 250 generalist physicians (family/general practice and internists), 150 specialist physicians (endocrinologists, neurologists, pain medicine specialists and podiatrists), and 100 nurses and physician assistants (including 30 non-prescribing RNs).

“A powerful and compelling aspect of the research we conducted is that it documents perspectives from both those who have DPN and those who treat it” said Joseph Hopper, president of Versta Research. “And it further documents how each side views the patient-physician relationship, which is crucial to designing effective interventions that encourage dialogue.”

Both presentations are available for download in poster format:

Patient Perspectives on Pain Severity in Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy

Painful Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy: Results of a Survey Characterizing Perspectives and Misperceptions of Patients and Healthcare Practitioners

Additional information about the survey can be obtained from the ACPA website and from www.DiabetesPainHelp.com.