peripheral nerve disease; peripheral neuropathy
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Classification
- symmetrical distal polyneuropathy
- focal or mononeuropathy
- proximal sensorimotor neuropathy
- demyelinating vs axonal
- large fiber vs small fiber neuropathy
- familial neuropathy
- autonomic neuropathy
Etiology
- axonal neuropathies
- diabetes mellitus
- alcohol & other toxins
- vitamin B12 deficiency
- paraneoplastic syndromes
- hereditary, type II
- dysproteinemias & paraproteinemias
- pharmacologic agents (several, see selection)
- segmental demyelination
- diabetes mellitus
- Guillain-Barre syndrome
- chronic inflammatory polyradiculopathy
- dysproteinemia & paraproteinemia
- hereditary, type I
- pharmacologic agents (several, see selection)
- focal & multifocal neuropathies
- autonomic neuropathy
- sensory neuropathy
- small fiber neuropathy
- impaired glucose tolerance
- Sjogren syndrome
- familial burning feet syndrome
- Fabry disease[3]
- acquired sensorimotor neuropathy
- diabetes mellitus
- monoglonal gammopathy, MGUS
- uremia
- chemotherapy[14]
- hereditary sensorimotor neuropathy
- polyradiculopathy
- motor neuropathy
- polyneuropathy
- other[3]
- metabolic
- hypothyroidism, anemia (distal symmetric polyneuropathy), acromegaly, critical illness
- nutritional
- infectious
- rheumatologic
- paraproteinemia & paraneoplastic disease
- MGUS
- POEMS syndrome
- amyloidosis
- lymphoma, multiple myeloma
- paraneoplastic neuropathy & ganglionopathy
- sarcoidosis
- lead poisoning & other heavy metal poisoning
- chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy
- metabolic
- idiopathic (30%)[3]
Epidemiology
- prevalence of polyneuropathy:[17]
- 2% in persons 50-60, 31% in persons > 80 years
- 31% with diabetes mellitus
- 14% with vitamin B12 deficiency
- 2% in persons 50-60, 31% in persons > 80 years
Pathology
- disorder of axons vs disorder of neurons (neuronopathy)
Clinical manifestations
- paresthesias
- tingling
- itching
- numbness
- burning
- electrical sensation
- muscle cramps
- pain
- foot ulcers & deformity
- decreased sense of vibration
- muscle weakness/foot drop
- skin dryness/hair loss
- decreased stretch reflexes (deep tendon reflexes)
- decreased sense of pain & temperature
- decreased sense of touch & pressure
- short steps, slow walking speed & difficulty turning[18]
- autonomic dysfunction: constipation, orthostasis, or bladder dysfunction
Laboratory
- complete blood count (CBC)
- erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR)
- electrolytes
- serum glucose, hemoglobin A1c*
- glucose tolerance test if serum glucose & A1c normal & small fiber neuropathy suspected[3]
- thyroid function tests
- serum immunoglobulins & serum protein electrophoresis*
- urine protein electrophoresis[3]
- serum vitamin B12* & serum folate
- CSF analysis if neuropathy is rapidly progressive
- see ARUP consult[9]
- other testing as indicated
* highest yield of initial diagnostic testing
Diagnostic procedures
- nerve conduction studies & electromyography
- axonal neuropathies
- nerve conduction is normal or slightly reduced
- electromyography shows muscle denervation
- demyelinating neuropathies
- nerve conduction is slowed
- electromyography reveals no muscle denervation
- combined axonal & demyelinating neuropathies are common
- axonal neuropathies
- Semmes-Weinstein monofilament testing
- nerve biopsy
- 3 mm punch biopsy may reveal small fiber neuropathy[4]
- distal calf biopsy for nerve conduction study-negative neuropathic feet
Radiology
Complications
- peripheral neuropathy is associated with excess risk of mobility impairment in the elderly[11]
- peripheral neuropathy is associated with excess risk of mortality independent of diabetes mellitus associated with decreased sensation in the foot[22]
- peripheral neuropathy & hearing loss are independently & additively associated with premature mortality[23]
- associations may be mediated in part by impaired balance[23]
Differential diagnosis
- central nervous system disease
- lower motor neuron signs imply peripheral neuropathy
- muscle cramps, fasciculations, muscle atrophy
- lesion may include cell body of lower motor neuron within the anterior horn of the spinal cord
- hyperreflexia, extensor plantar response suggests upper motor neuron & CNS pathology
- sensory loss in an entire limb rather than dermatomal or stocking glove distribution suggests CNS disease
- electromyography is normal in CNS disease
- lower motor neuron signs imply peripheral neuropathy
- peripheral neuropathy
- anterior lateral thigh numbness, no weakness
- sensory loss over the palmar surface of the 1st 3 fingers & weakness with abduction & opposition of thumb
- numbness of the 4th & 5th fingers & weakness of interosseus muscles
- paresthesias & numbness of the great toe & medial foot
- upper & lower face weakness
- mononeuritis multiplex (multiple non-contiguous nerve defects)
- distal, symmetric (stocking-glove) sensory or sensory & motor manifestations
- axonal polyneuropathy: diabetes mellitus, alcoholism
- small fiber neuropathy will present with pain only
- severe unilateral leg pain, numbness, proximal weakness, atrophy, weight loss
- acute ascending paralysis, areflexia, paresthesias
- progressive proximal motor & sensory polyneuropathy evolving over months
- symmetric distal sensory neuropathy with paraprotein
- MUGUS, multiple mylemona, amyloidosis, cyroglobulinemia
Management
- pharmacologic agents
- avoid benzodiazepines: they lower pain threshold
- analgesics:
- aspirin
- acetaminophen
- non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents (NSAIDs)
- opiates - morphine in combination with gabapentin[5]
- tricyclic antidepressants
- amitriptyline
- nortriptyline
- may be used in conjunction with fluphenazine (Prolixin)
- often effective at lower doses than those used for treatment of depression
- selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors (SSRI)
- duloxetine* first line for chemotherapy-induced painful peripheral neuropathy[10][23]
- anticonvulsants
- clonidine (Catapres)
- clonazepam (Klonopin)
- gabapentin (Neurontin), pregabalin*
- mexiletine 200-400 mg PO TID
- capsaicin (topical) applied several times/day
- nortriptyline & duloxetine* better than pregabalin* or mexiletine, but no drug particularly effective[21]
- tapendolol* (extended-release)
- physical measures:
- warm baths; b) skin care; c) appropriate clothing
- control of diabetes
- workup for occult malignancy if no cause found
- patient education
- symptoms usually improve with time
- symptoms sometimes appear to worsen as nerves begin to repair themselves & recover functionality
- placebo effects
- pregabalin & placebo significantly & equally effective in HIV-related neuropathy[8]
* only duloxetine, pregabalin & tapendolol FDA-approved for treatment of painful peripheral neuropathy[3]
More general terms
More specific terms
- chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN)
- chronic idiopathic ataxic neuropathy
- cramp fasciculation syndrome
- diabetic neuropathy
- entrapment neuropathy; nerve entrapment syndrome; pinched nerve
- facial nerve disorder
- hand & foot syndrome; palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia; acral erythema
- mental neuropathy
- mononeuritis multiplex
- mononeuropathy
- motor neuropathy
- nerve injury
- nerve lesion
- nerve root injury
- neuralgia
- neuritis
- neurogenic arthritis (neurogenic arthropathy)
- nutritional neuropathy
- occipital neuralgia
- phantom limb; pseudomelia
- plexopathy
- POEMS syndrome (Polyneuropathy, Organomegaly, Endocrinopathy, Monoclonal gammopathy, & Skin changes); Crow-Fukase syndrome
- polyneuropathy
- post Herpetic neuralgia
- pyridoxine neuropathy; megavitamin-B6 syndrome
- radiculopathy
- sensory neuropathy
- slowed nerve conduction velocity; nerve conduction block
Additional terms
- age-associated changes in the peripheral nervous system
- nerve conduction study (NCS); electroneuronography
- peripheral nerve
- peripheral nervous system
- pharmaceutical agents causing peripheral neuropathy
References
- ↑ Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 13th ed. Companion Handbook, Isselbacher et al (eds), McGraw-Hill Inc. NY, 1995, pg 829-39
- ↑ Saunders Manual of Medical Practice, Rakel (ed), WB Saunders, Philadelphia, 1996, pg 1046-47
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 Medical Knowledge Self Assessment Program (MKSAP) 11, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19. American College of Physicians, Philadelphia 1998, 2009, 2012, 2015, 2018, 2021.
Medical Knowledge Self Assessment Program (MKSAP) 19 Board Basics. An Enhancement to MKSAP19. American College of Physicians, Philadelphia 2022 - ↑ 4.0 4.1 Journal Watch 25(9):74, 2005 Gilron I, Bailey JM, Tu D, Holden RR, Weaver DF, Houlden RL. Morphine, gabapentin, or their combination for neuropathic pain. N Engl J Med. 2005 Mar 31;352(13):1324-34. PMID: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15800228
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Journal Watch, Mass Med Soc 20(1):11 (Jan 1) 2000
- ↑ England JD et al Practice Parameter: evaluation of distal symmetric polyneuropathy: role of laboratory and genetic testing (an evidence-based review). Neurology 2009 Jan 13;72(2):185-92 PMID: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19056666
- ↑ England JD et al Practice Parameter: evaluation of distal symmetric polyneuropathy: role of autonomic testing, nerve biopsy, and skin biopsy (an evidence-based review). Neurology 2009 Jan 13;72(2):177-84 PMID: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19056667
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Simpson DM et al. Pregabalin for painful HIV neuropathy: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Neurology 2010 Feb 2; 74:413. PMID: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20124207
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 ARUP Consult: Autoimmune Neuropathies - Neuropathic Disease deprecated reference
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 Smith EM et al Effect of Duloxetine on Pain, Function, and Quality of Life Among Patients With Chemotherapy-Induced Painful Peripheral Neuropathy. A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA. 2013;309(13):1359-1367 <PubMed> PMID: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23549581 <Internet> http://jama.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=1674238
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 Lauria G, Merkies IS, Faber CG. Small fibre neuropathy. Curr Opin Neurol. 2012 Oct;25(5):542-9 PMID: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22941266
- ↑ Ward RE et al. Sensory and motor peripheral nerve function and incident mobility disability. J Am Geriatr Soc 2014 Dec; 62:2273 PMID: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25482096
- ↑ Levine TD, Saperstein DS. Laboratory evaluation of peripheral neuropathy. Neurol Clin. 2013 May;31(2):363-76. PMID: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23642714
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 Nelson R Persistent Chemo-Induced Neuropathy Impacts Functioning. Medscape Oncology. Jan 14, 2016 http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/857235
- ↑ Callaghan B, McCammon R, Kerber K, Xu X, Langa KM, Feldman E. Tests and expenditures in the initial evaluation of peripheral neuropathy. Arch Intern Med. 2012 Jan 23;172(2):127-32. PMID: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22271119 Free PMC Article
- ↑ Callaghan BC, Burke JF, Rodgers A, Expenditures in the elderly with peripheral neuropathy: Where should we focus cost-control efforts? Neurol Clin Pract. 2013 Oct;3(5):421-430. PMID: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24175158 Free PMC Article
- ↑ 17.0 17.1 Hanewinckel R et al. Prevalence of polyneuropathy in the general middle-aged and elderly population. Neurology 2016 Nov 1; 87:1892 PMID: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27683845
- ↑ 18.0 18.1 Geriatric Review Syllabus, 10th edition (GRS10) Harper GM, Lyons WL, Potter JF (eds) American Geriatrics Society, 2019
- ↑ National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
NINDS Peripheral Neuropathy Information Page https://www.ninds.nih.gov/Disorders/All-Disorders/Peripheral-Neuropathy-Information-Page
Peripheral Neuropathy Fact Sheet https://www.ninds.nih.gov/Disorders/Patient-Caregiver-Education/Fact-Sheets/Peripheral-Neuropathy-Fact-Sheet - ↑ 20.0 20.1 ARUP Consult: Autoimmune Neuropathies - Neuropathic Disease The Physician's Guide to Laboratory Test Selection & Interpretation https://www.arupconsult.com/content/autoimmune-neuropathies
- ↑ 21.0 21.1 Barohn RJ, Gajewski B, Pasnoor M et al. Patient assisted intervention for neuropathy: Comparison of treatment in real life situations (PAIN-CONTRoLS): Bayesian adaptive comparative effectiveness randomized trial. JAMA Neurol 2020 Aug 17; [e-pub] PMID: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/32809014 https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaneurology/fullarticle/2769608
- ↑ 22.0 22.1 Hicks CW, Wang D, Matsushita K et al Peripheral Neuropathy and All-Cause and Cardiovascular Mortality in U.S. Adults. Ann Intern Med. 2020. Dec 8. PMID: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/33284680 https://www.acpjournals.org/doi/10.7326/M20-1340
- ↑ 23.0 23.1 23.2 23.3 Mold JW, Lawler FH, Liao X, Bard DE. Associations between hearing loss, peripheral neuropathy, balance, and survival in older primary care patients. J Am Geriatr Soc. 2024 Aug 14. PMID: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/39143038 https://agsjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jgs.19142
Patient information
peripheral nerve disease (peripheral neuropathy) patient information