View source for Polyneuropathy

{{short description|Any disease affecting peripheral nerves on both sides of the body}}
{{Infobox medical condition (new)
| name            = Polyneuropathy
| synonyms        =
|synonym=| image           = File:Vasculitic neuropathy - plastics - low mag.jpg
|
|alt=| caption         = Micrograph showing peripheral neuropathy ([[vasculitis]]). Polyneuropathy is peripheral neuropathy occurring in the same areas on both sides of the body.
|image_size=| pronounce       =
| field           =
|specialty=| symptoms        = Ataxia<ref name=pat/>
| complications   =
| onset           =
| duration        =
| types           =
| causes          = Hereditary ([[Charcot–Marie–Tooth disease]]), and acquired ([[alcohol use disorder]])<ref name=thr/>
| risks           =
| diagnosis       = Nerve conduction study, urinalysis<ref name=neur/><ref name=pat/>
| differential    =
| prevention      =
| treatment       = Occupational therapy, weight decrease (management)<ref name=pat/>
| medication      =
| prognosis       =
| frequency       =
| deaths          =
}}

'''Polyneuropathy''' ({{ety|el|[[wikt:poly-|''poly-'']]|many||[[wikt:neuro-|''neuro-'']]|nerve||[[wikt:-pathy|''-pathy'']]|sickness}}) is damage or disease affecting [[Peripheral nervous system|peripheral nerves]] ([[peripheral neuropathy]]) in roughly the same areas on both sides of the body, featuring [[weakness]], [[numbness]], and burning pain.<ref name="pat">{{Cite web|url=http://patient.info/doctor/Polyneuropathies|title=Polyneuropathies. Medical information about polyneuropathy {{!}} Patient|website=Patient|language=en-GB|access-date=2016-07-17|archive-date=2016-07-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160718100414/http://patient.info/doctor/polyneuropathies|url-status=live}}</ref> It usually begins in the hands and feet and may progress to the arms and legs and sometimes to other parts of the body where it may affect the [[autonomic nervous system]]. It may be [[acute (medicine)|acute]] or [[chronic (medicine)|chronic]]. A number of different disorders may cause polyneuropathy, including [[diabetes]] and some types of [[Guillain–Barré syndrome]].<ref name=BMJ>{{cite journal|journal=British Medical Journal|date=23 February 2002 |volume=324 |issue=7335 |pages=466–469 |title=Clinical review: Peripheral neuropathy|author= Richard A C Hughes|doi=10.1136/bmj.324.7335.466|pmid=11859051 |pmc=1122393}}</ref><ref name=JAMA>{{cite journal|journal= Journal of the American Medical Association |author1=Janet M. Torpy |author2=Jennifer L. Kincaid |author3=Richard M. Glass | date= 21 April 2010 | title = Patient page: Peripheral neuropathy | volume = 303 | issue = 15 | doi = 10.1001/jama.303.15.1556 |pmid=20407067 | pages=1556| doi-access= free }}</ref><ref name= NIH>{{cite web | url= http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/peripheralneuropathy/detail_peripheralneuropathy.htm | title= Peripheral neuropathy fact sheet | date= 19 September 2012 | publisher= National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke | access-date= 15 January 2013 | archive-date= 15 December 2016 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20161215182814/http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/peripheralneuropathy/detail_peripheralneuropathy.htm | url-status= dead }}</ref>

==Classification==
Polyneuropathies may be classified in different ways, such as by ''cause'',<ref name=thr/> by ''presentation'',<ref name=pat/> or by ''classes'' of polyneuropathy, in terms of which part of the nerve cell is affected mainly: the [[axon]], the [[myelin]] sheath, or the [[cell body]].<ref>{{cite book|last1=Rakel|first1=David|last2=Rakel|first2=Robert E.|title=Textbook of Family Medicine|publisher=Elsevier Health Sciences|isbn=9780323313087|page=1026|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8huMBgAAQBAJ&q=polyneuropathy+can+be+classified+by+neuron%2C+axon%2C+myelin&pg=PA1026|access-date=26 August 2016|language=en|date=2015-02-02|archive-date=2022-03-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220319083821/https://books.google.com/books?id=8huMBgAAQBAJ&q=polyneuropathy+can+be+classified+by+neuron%2C+axon%2C+myelin&pg=PA1026|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last1=McCance|first1=Kathryn L.|last2=Huether|first2=Sue E.|title=Pathophysiology: The Biologic Basis for Disease in Adults and Children|publisher=Elsevier Health Sciences|isbn=9780323316071|page=635|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0fskCwAAQBAJ&q=polyneuropathy+classified+as+axon%2C+myelin+or+neuron&pg=PA635|access-date=26 August 2016|language=en|date=2014-01-30|archive-date=2022-03-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220319083822/https://books.google.com/books?id=0fskCwAAQBAJ&q=polyneuropathy+classified+as+axon%2C+myelin+or+neuron&pg=PA635|url-status=live}}</ref>
[[File:Saltatory Conduction.gif|thumb|300 px|[[Action potential]] propagation in myelinated neurons is faster than in unmyelinated neurons(left)]]
* '''''Distal axonopathy''''', is the result of interrupted function of the peripheral nerves.<ref>{{cite book|editor-last1=Perry|editor-first1=Michael C.|title=The chemotherapy source book|date=2007|publisher=Lippincott Williams & Wilkins|location=Philadelphia, Pa.|isbn=9780781773287|page=241|edition=4th|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CDADMzS0TKUC&q=Distal+axonopathy&pg=PA241|access-date=26 August 2016|language=en|archive-date=19 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220319083820/https://books.google.com/books?id=CDADMzS0TKUC&q=Distal+axonopathy&pg=PA241|url-status=live}}</ref> It is the most common response of neurons to metabolic or toxic disturbances, and may be caused by metabolic diseases such as [[Diabetic neuropathy|diabetes]], [[kidney failure]], [[connective tissue disease]], deficiency syndromes such as [[malnutrition]] and [[alcoholism]], or the effects of [[toxin]]s or [[pharmaceutical drug|drugs]] such as [[chemotherapy]]. They may be divided according to the type of axon affected (large-fiber, [[Small fiber peripheral neuropathy|small-fiber]], or both). The most distal portions of axons are usually the first to degenerate, and axonal atrophy advances slowly toward the nerve's cell body.  However, if the cause is removed, then regeneration is possible, although the prognosis depends on the duration and severity of the original stimulus{{medical citation needed|date=August 2016}}. People with distal axonopathies usually present with sensorimotor disturbances such as [[amyotrophic lateral sclerosis]]<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Moloney|first1=Elizabeth B.|last2=de Winter|first2=Fred|last3=Verhaagen|first3=Joost|title=ALS as a distal axonopathy: molecular mechanisms affecting neuromuscular junction stability in the presymptomatic stages of the disease|journal=Frontiers in Neuroscience|date=14 August 2014|volume=8|pages=252|doi=10.3389/fnins.2014.00252|pmid=25177267|pmc=4132373|doi-access=free }}</ref>
* '''''Myelinopathy''''', is due to a loss of myelin or of the [[Schwann cells]].<ref>{{cite book|last1=Hankey|first1=Graeme J.|last2=Wardlaw|first2=Joanna M.|author2-link=Joanna Wardlaw|title=Clinical neurology|date=2008|publisher=Manson|location=London|isbn=9781840765182|page=580|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Q8q7E6EJr7IC&q=myelinopathy+is+disorder+affecting+the+myelin+of+peripheral+nerve&pg=PA580|access-date=26 August 2016|language=en|archive-date=19 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220319083823/https://books.google.com/books?id=Q8q7E6EJr7IC&q=myelinopathy+is+disorder+affecting+the+myelin+of+peripheral+nerve&pg=PA580|url-status=live}}</ref> This demyelination slows down or completely blocks the conduction of [[action potential]]s through the axon of the nerve cell ([[neurapraxia]]).<ref>{{cite book|last1=Goodman|first1=Catherine C.|last2=Fuller|first2=Kenda S.|title=Pathology: Implications for the Physical Therapist|publisher=Elsevier Health Sciences|isbn=9780323266468|page=1597|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PVBPAQAAQBAJ&q=Myelinopathy%2C%2Caction+potentials+through+the+axon+of+the+nerve+cell&pg=PA1597|access-date=26 August 2016|language=en|date=2013-08-07|archive-date=2022-03-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220319083824/https://books.google.com/books?id=PVBPAQAAQBAJ&q=Myelinopathy%2C%2Caction+potentials+through+the+axon+of+the+nerve+cell&pg=PA1597|url-status=live}}</ref> The most common cause is [[acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy]] AIDP, the most common form of [[Guillain–Barré syndrome]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.orpha.net/consor/cgi-bin/OC_Exp.php?lng=EN&Expert=98916|title=Orphanet: Acute inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy|last=RESERVED|first=INSERM US14 – ALL RIGHTS|website=www.orpha.net|access-date=2016-08-26|archive-date=2016-08-27|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160827090138/http://www.orpha.net/consor/cgi-bin/OC_Exp.php?lng=EN&Expert=98916|url-status=live}}</ref> (although other causes include [[chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy]] )<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/cidp/cidp.htm|title=Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (CIDP) Information Page: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)|website=www.ninds.nih.gov|access-date=2016-07-30|archive-date=2016-07-27|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160727233351/http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/cidp/cidp.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* '''''Neuronopathy''''' is the result of issues in the [[peripheral nervous system]] (PNS) neurons. They may be caused by [[motor neurone disease]]s, [[sensory neuronopathy|sensory neuronopathies]], toxins, or autonomic dysfunction. [[Neurotoxicity|Neurotoxins]] such as [[chemotherapy]] agents may cause neuronopathies.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Barohn|first1=Richard J.|last2=Amato|first2=Anthony A.|title=Pattern-Recognition Approach to Neuropathy and Neuronopathy|journal=Neurologic Clinics|date=May 2013|volume=31|issue=2|pages=343–361|doi=10.1016/j.ncl.2013.02.001|pmc=3922643|issn=0733-8619|pmid=23642713}}</ref>

==Signs and symptoms==
Among the signs and symptoms of polyneuropathy, which can be divided (into sensory and hereditary) and are consistent with the following, are:<ref name=pat/>
* ''Sensory polyneuropathy'' – [[ataxia]], numbness, [[muscle]] wasting and [[paraesthesiae]].
* ''Hereditary polyneuropathy'' – [[scoliosis]] and [[hammer toes]]

==Causes==
The causes of polyneuropathy can be divided into hereditary and acquired and are therefore as follows:<ref name="thr">{{cite book|last1=MD|first1=Dr Sara J. Cuccurullo|title=Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Board Review, Third Edition|publisher=Demos Medical Publishing|isbn=9781617052019|page=434|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NCzRBQAAQBAJ&q=polyneuropathy+ethiology&pg=PA433|access-date=26 August 2016|language=en|date=2014-11-25|archive-date=2022-03-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220319083819/https://books.google.com/books?id=NCzRBQAAQBAJ&q=polyneuropathy+ethiology&pg=PA433|url-status=live}}</ref>
* ''Inherited'' – hereditary motor neuropathies, [[Charcot–Marie–Tooth disease]], and [[hereditary neuropathy with liability to pressure palsy]]
* ''Acquired'' – [[diabetes mellitus]], [[Blood vessel|vascular]] neuropathy, [[alcohol use disorder]], [[vitamin E deficiency]], and [[vitamin B12 deficiency]]

==Pathophysiology==
[[File:Healthy Human T Cell.jpg|thumb|100 px| Human T Cell]]
The pathophysiology of polyneuropathy depends on the ''type''. [[Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy]], for instance, is an [[autoimmune]] disease: [[T cells]] involvement has been demonstrated, antibodies alone are not capable of [[demyelination]].<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Mahdi-Rogers|first1=Mohamed|last2=Rajabally|first2=Yusuf A|title=Overview of the pathogenesis and treatment of chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy with intravenous immunoglobulins|journal=Biologics: Targets and Therapy|date=1 January 2010|volume=4|pages=45–49|doi=10.2147/btt.s4881|pmc=2846143|issn=1177-5475|pmid=20376173 |doi-access=free }}</ref>

==Diagnosis==
[[File:Ragged red fibres - gtc - very high mag.jpg|thumb|left|170 px|Micrograph of a muscle biopsy]]
The diagnosis of polyneuropathy begins with a history (anamnesis) and [[physical examination]] to ascertain the pattern of the disease process (such as arms, legs, distal, proximal), if they fluctuate, and what deficits and pain are involved. If pain is a factor, determining where and how long it has been present is important; one also needs to know what disorders are present within the family and what diseases the person may have. Although diseases often are suggested by the physical examination and history alone, tests that may be employed include electrodiagnostic testing, serum protein [[electrophoresis]], [[nerve conduction studies]], [[urinalysis]], serum [[creatine kinase]] (CK) and [[antibody]] testing; nerve biopsy is done sometimes.<ref name=pat/><ref name="neur">{{cite journal|last1=Burns|first1=Ted M.|last2=Mauermann|first2=Michelle L.|title=The Evaluation of Polyneuropathies|journal=Neurology|date=15 February 2011|volume=76|issue=7 Supplement 2|pages=S6–S13|doi=10.1212/WNL.0b013e31820c3622|pmid=21321354|language=en|issn=0028-3878|pmc=5766173}}</ref>

Other tests may be used, especially tests for specific disorders associated with polyneuropathies; quality measures have been developed to diagnose patients with distal symmetrical polyneuropathy (DSP).<ref>{{cite journal|last1=England|first1=John D.|last2=Franklin|first2=Gary|last3=Gjorvad|first3=Gina|last4=Swain-Eng|first4=Rebecca|last5=Brannagan|first5=Thomas H.|last6=David|first6=William S.|last7=Dubinsky|first7=Richard M.|last8=Smith|first8=Benn E.|title=Quality improvement in neurology|journal=Neurology|date=13 May 2014|volume=82|issue=19|pages=1745–1748|doi=10.1212/WNL.0000000000000397|pmc=4032209|issn=0028-3878|pmid=24696504}}</ref>

===Differential diagnosis===

In terms of the differential diagnosis for polyneuropathy, the following must be considered:
{{columns-list|colwidth=30em|
* [[Vitamin deficiency]]<ref name=bmj/>
* [[Diabetes mellitus]]<ref name=bmj/>
* Toxins<ref name=bmj/>
* [[Guillain–Barré syndrome]]<ref name="bmj">{{cite web|title=Polyneuropathy/differential diagnosis|url=http://bestpractice.bmj.com/best-practice/monograph/158/diagnosis/differential-diagnosis.html|website=BMJ.com|publisher=BMJ Best Practices|access-date=26 August 2016|archive-date=22 October 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231022225050/https://bestpractice.bmj.com/topics/en-us/158/differentials|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[Lyme disease]]<ref name=bmj/>
* Hepatitis C<ref name=bmj/>
* [[Amyloidosis]]<ref name=bmj/>
* [[Acromegaly]]<ref name=bmj/>
* [[Kidney failure]]<ref>[https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000471.htm Chronic renal failure] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160705050214/https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000471.htm |date=2016-07-05 }}, ''Medline Plus''</ref>
* [[Friedreich's Ataxia]]<ref>{{cite journal | url=https://doi.org/10.1097/NEN.0b013e31827e5762 | doi=10.1097/NEN.0b013e31827e5762 | title=Friedreich Ataxia: Neuropathology Revised | year=2013 | last1=Koeppen | first1=Arnulf H. | last2=Mazurkiewicz | first2=Joseph E. | journal=Journal of Neuropathology & Experimental Neurology | volume=72 | issue=2 | pages=78–90 | pmid=23334592 | pmc=3817014 | access-date=2019-06-28 | archive-date=2023-10-22 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231022225126/https://academic.oup.com/jnen/article/72/2/78/2917588 | url-status=live }}</ref>
}}

==Treatment==
[[File:Methylprednisolone.png|thumb|Methylprednisolone]]
In the treatment of polyneuropathies one must ascertain and manage the cause, among management activities are: weight decrease, use of a walking aid, and [[occupational therapist]] assistance. Additionally, BP control in those with diabetes is helpful, while intravenous [[immunoglobulin]] is used for multifocal motor neuropathy.<ref name=pat/>

According to Lopate, et al., [[methylprednisolone]] is a viable treatment for chronic inflammatory demyelinative polyneuropathy (which can also be treated with intravenous immunoglobulin). The authors also indicate that [[prednisone]] has greater adverse effects in such treatment, as opposed to intermittent (high-doses) of the aforementioned medication.<ref name=pat/><ref>{{cite journal|last1=Lopate|first1=Glenn|last2=Pestronk|first2=Alan|last3=Al-Lozi|first3=Muhammad|title=Treatment of Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy With High-Dose Intermittent Intravenous Methylprednisolone|journal=Archives of Neurology|date=1 February 2005|volume=62|issue=2|pages=249–54|doi=10.1001/archneur.62.2.249|issn=0003-9942|pmid=15710853|doi-access=free}}</ref>

According to Wu, et al., in [[critical illness polyneuropathy]] supportive and preventive therapy are important for the affected individual, as well as, avoiding (or limiting) [[corticosteroids]].<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Zhou|first1=Chunkui|last2=Wu|first2=Limin|last3=Ni|first3=Fengming|last4=Ji|first4=Wei|last5=Wu|first5=Jiang|last6=Zhang|first6=Hongliang|title=Critical illness polyneuropathy and myopathy: a systematic review|journal=Neural Regeneration Research|date=1 January 2014|volume=9|issue=1|pages=101–110|doi=10.4103/1673-5374.125337|pmc=4146320|issn=1673-5374|pmid=25206749 |doi-access=free }}</ref>

==See also==
{{columns-list|colwidth=30em|
* [[Hereditary neuropathy with liability to pressure palsy]]
* [[Mononeuropathy]]
* [[Neuritis]]
* [[Neuromuscular disease]]
* [[Neuromuscular medicine]]
* [[Neuropathy]]
* [[Polyradiculoneuropathy]]
* [[Radial neuropathy]]
}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
* {{cite journal|last1=Dimachkie|first1=Mazen M.|last2=Barohn|first2=Richard J.|title=Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy|journal=Current Treatment Options in Neurology|date=7 April 2013|volume=15|issue=3|pages=350–366|doi=10.1007/s11940-013-0229-6|pmc=3987657|issn=1092-8480|pmid=23564314}}
* {{cite book|last1=Katirji|first1=Bashar|last2=Kaminski|first2=Henry J.|last3=Ruff|first3=Robert L.|title=Neuromuscular Disorders in Clinical Practice|publisher=Springer Science & Business Media|isbn=9781461465676|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XPq8BAAAQBAJ&q=polyneuropathy&pg=PA677|access-date=26 August 2016|language=en|date=2013-10-11}}
* {{cite book|last1=Said|first1=Professor Gérard|title=Peripheral Neuropathy & Neuropathic Pain: Into The Light|date=2014|publisher=tfm Publishing Limited|isbn=9781910079027|page=17|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fX3oBQAAQBAJ&q=dying-back+neuropathy&pg=PA17|access-date=3 August 2016|language=en}}

== External links ==
{{Medical resources
|  DiseasesDB      =
|  ICD10           = {{ICD10|G|60||g|60}}-{{ICD10|G|64||g|60}}
|  ICD9            = {{ICD9|356.4}}, {{ICD9|357.1}}-{{ICD9|357.7}}
|  ICDO            =
|  OMIM            =
|  MedlinePlus     =
|  eMedicineSubj   =
|  eMedicineTopic  =
|  MeshID          = D011115
}}
{{Commons}}	

{{Scholia|topic}}
{{PNS diseases of the nervous system}}
{{Medicine}}

[[Category:Peripheral nervous system disorders]]