66THE PREVALENCE, SEVERITY AND CHARACTERISTICS OF DIABETIC NEUROPATHY IN PALAKKAD DISTRICT, KERALADiabetes is a globally prevalent condition and diabetic neuropathy is the most common complication of Diabetes Mellitus (DM). Few studies have specifically examined the prevalence of diabetic neuropathy (DN) and the reliability of these prevalence estimates is uncertain because most studies obtained data from questionnaires and did not include physical examinations. The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence, characteristics and severity of the symptoms in diabetic neuropathy. A prospective study was conducted in Palakkad Diabetic Center during January 2014 to July 2014. The study included 200 diabetic neuropathic patients with a mean age of 60.58±9.4 years. The evaluation of neuropathy was done clinically as well as electro physiologically using Neuropathic Pain Scale (NPS) and Biothesiometer. The study result showed, the diabetic status of majority of the patients were uncontrolled (55.5%) and the most common symptom reported was numbness and aching pain and the symptoms were mostly reported in the lower extremities. The mean value of surface pain was 5.29, sensitive pain was 0.065. in conclusion majority of the patients were reported as severe neuropathic with numbness as the major characteristics.Sujithasurendran37@gmail.comResearch512015Diabetic Mellitus,Diabetic Neuropathy,Prevalence,Neuropathic Pain ScaleSujitha PS,Sivakumar R,Sajeeth CI,Radhakrishnan APDepartment of Pharmacy Practice, Grace College of Pharmacy, Palakkad, Kerala, India,Department of Pharmacy Practice, Grace College of Pharmacy, Palakkad, Kerala, India,Department of Pharmacy Practice, Grace College of Pharmacy, Palakkad, Kerala, India,Palakkad Diabetic Centre, Palakkad, Kerala, India