Question

A 37-year-old female with a past medical history of diabetes mellitus on insulin and anxiety disorder presents with a 6-month history of progressive numbness in her hands that recently extended into her forearms. She also reports burning her hands often but not feeling it. On examination, she has 3+ deep tendon reflexes bilaterally and absent sensation to pinprick and temperature over her hands and upper extremities extending to her neck. What is the most likely diagnosis?

Answer 1

The most likely diagnosis for this patient is diabetic neuropathy. Diabetic neuropathy is a common complication of diabetes, characterized by numbness, tingling, and pain in the extremities. The patient's medical history and presenting symptoms are consistent with diabetic neuropathy.

Step-by-step explanation:

The most likely diagnosis for this patient is diabetic neuropathy.

Diabetic neuropathy is a common complication of diabetes. It occurs due to nerve damage caused by elevated blood sugar levels over time. Symptoms can include numbness, tingling, and pain in the extremities.

In this case, the patient's past medical history of diabetes mellitus and the presenting symptoms of progressive numbness in the hands and forearms, along with burning without sensation, are consistent with diabetic neuropathy.