In this article we will review the clinical signs and symptoms of diabetic somatic polyneuropathy (DPN), its prevalence and clinical management. Staging and classification of DPN will be exemplified by various staging paradigms of varied sophistication. The results of therapeutic clinical trials will be summarized. The pathogenesis of diabetic neuropathy reviews an extremely complex issue that is still not fully understood. Various recent advances in the understanding of the disease will be discussed, particularly with respect to the differences between neuropathy in the two major types of diabetes. The neuropathology and natural history of diabetic neuropathy will be discussed pointing out the heterogeneities of the disease. Finally, the various prospective therapeutic avenues will be dealt with and discussed. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.