A steady increase in diabetes incidence rate is a social and health issue. First and foremost, the danger of the above mentioned disease is associated with its invalidity causing complications. The article presents a literature review reflecting recent trends in the distal polyneuropathy early diagnosis. Subjective and objective diagnostic techniques are described as well as advantages and disadvantages of such techniques as electroneuromyography of lower limb nerves, skin biopsy and corneal confocal microscopy.