Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) shows analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects in chronic neuropathic pain. No prior systematic reviews focused on diabetic neuropathic pain (DNP) or distal sensory polyneuropathy (DSPN). Researchers conducted a meta-analysis to assess PEA's efficacy.The results of the study were published in the Journal of Diabetes and Metabolic Disorders.

Searches covered MEDLINE/Pubmed, EMBASE, CINAHL, Web of Science, Clinicaltrials.gov, and Herdin. Terms included PEA variants and DNP/DSPN indicators. Two authors screened titles/abstracts independently; references hand-searched. Three studies with 188 patients met inclusion. Meta-analysis used standardized mean difference (SMD) for pain scores; secondary outcomes and safety reviewed.

PEA, alone or combined, tied to significant pain score drops versus controls. Meta-analysis confirmed reduction (SMD -5.44; 95% CI -8.47 to -0.41, p=0.0004, I²=96%). Secondary gains included better sleep quality, less depression, improved nerve conduction velocity, and vibration perception. Safety showed mild, self-limited events; data limited.

In this systematic review and meta-analysis of three small studies, PEA was associated with pain relief and related benefits in DNP. Findings suggest adjunctive potential, pending larger RCTs.