Last updated August 29, 2026
Key finding
BPI-DPN total pain decreased significantly from baseline.
This study evaluated the efficacy of Palmitoylethanolamide in treating diabetic-related peripheral neuropathic pain, finding significant pain reduction compared to placebo.
Quick read
The essential study design details in one scan.
EvidenceScore™
Moderate
Study type
RCTs
Follow-up
Short-Term (≤3 mo)
Risk of bias
Some Concerns
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Plain-language summary
A plain-language read of the study’s main message and where it applies.
Study focus
This study evaluated the efficacy of Palmitoylethanolamide in treating diabetic-related peripheral neuropathic pain, finding significant pain reduction compared to placebo.
These findings suggest that Palmitoylethanolamide could be an effective treatment for managing diabetic-related peripheral neuropathic pain, which is a common and debilitating condition. Improved pain management can enhance patients' quality of life and reduce reliance on traditional pain medications.
Limited sample size may affect generalizability Short duration of follow-up Potential for unmeasured confounding factors
Published in
Publication details and source links for this paper.
Emily P, Elizabeth LS, Kathryn JS, Amanda R, Luis V. The Efficacy of Palmitoylethanolamide in Treating Diabetic-Related Peripheral Neuropathic Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Inflammopharmacology. 2022;30(6):2063-2077. doi:10.1007/s10787-022-01033-8
Significant reduction in BPI-DPN total pain (P ≤ 0.001)
Improved sleep quality as indicated by the MOS sleep scale (P ≤ 0.001)
Reduction in DASS-21 depression scores (P = 0.03)
Evidence network
Understand where this research contributes within the broader evidence network.
This study contributes evidence to Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) and C-reactive protein, Depression score, Interleukin-6 (IL-6), and 4 more.
This study contributes evidence to
Primary intervention
Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA)
Primary outcomes
Evidence topics
Primary intervention
Primary outcomes
Intervention and outcome relationships this study adds to the evidence network.
Editorial context
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Evidence network role
This section describes how the study fits into the current evidence network. It does not determine whether an intervention works on its own.
1
Related topics
7
Evidence pairs
70
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Evidence topic
Contributes evidence
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Primary evidence
Evidence topic
matched_outcome
Core evidence
The primary outcomes reported in this study.
Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) → C-reactive protein
Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) → C-reactive protein
Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) → Depression score
Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) → Depression score
Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) → Interleukin-6 (IL-6)
Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) → Interleukin-6 (IL-6)
Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) → Neuropathic pain severity
Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) → Neuropathic pain severity
Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) → Pain Interference Measured by BPI-DPN
Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) → Pain Interference Measured by BPI-DPN
Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) → Total Pain Score Measured by BPI-DPN
Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) → Total Pain Score Measured by BPI-DPN
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Relationships organized using the Dediabetes Evidence Intelligence™ framework.
This study contributes to evidence on Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) and Inflammatory Markers, Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) and Mental Health.
This study contributes to the evidence on the following intervention-outcome relationships.
Supplements
Curated evidence collections and hubs this study is part of.
All studies measuring Inflammatory Markers
Measures Inflammatory Markers as a key outcome.
All studies measuring Mental Health
Measures Mental Health as a key outcome.
All studies on Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA)
Contributes to Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) evidence base.
All studies measuring Quality of Life Outcomes
Measures Quality of Life Outcomes as a key outcome.
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1 results
1 results
1 results
1 results
1 results
Generated from the study's connected evidence using Evidence Intelligence™.
Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) appears to improve Depression score.
ConsistencyScore™: Consistency cannot yet be determined from the available evidence.
Ranked evidence signals
Depression score
EvidenceScore™ Emerging | EvidenceScore™ 59.0 | strong positive | ConsistencyScore™ Unclear | 1 study
Why this answer: This answer is based on a single supporting study.
Limitations
Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) appears to improve Interleukin-6 (IL-6).
ConsistencyScore™: Consistency cannot yet be determined from the available evidence.
Ranked evidence signals
Interleukin-6 (IL-6)
EvidenceScore™ Emerging | EvidenceScore™ 59.0 | strong positive | ConsistencyScore™ Unclear | 1 study
Why this answer: This answer is based on a single supporting study.
Limitations
Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) appears to improve Neuropathic pain severity.
ConsistencyScore™: Consistency cannot yet be determined from the available evidence.
Ranked evidence signals
Neuropathic pain severity
EvidenceScore™ Emerging | EvidenceScore™ 59.0 | strong positive | ConsistencyScore™ Unclear | 1 study
Why this answer: This answer is based on a single supporting study.
Limitations
Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) appears to improve Pain Interference Measured by BPI-DPN.
ConsistencyScore™: Consistency cannot yet be determined from the available evidence.
Ranked evidence signals
Pain Interference Measured by BPI-DPN
EvidenceScore™ Emerging | EvidenceScore™ 59.0 | strong positive | ConsistencyScore™ Unclear | 1 study
Why this answer: This answer is based on a single supporting study.
Limitations
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