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Medizinische Klinik, Intensivmedizin... Oct 2017An average of 50-80% of patients treated in the intensive care unit is affected by disturbances of neuromuscular functions due to damage to the nerves and muscles, which... (Review)
Review
An average of 50-80% of patients treated in the intensive care unit is affected by disturbances of neuromuscular functions due to damage to the nerves and muscles, which has led to the terms critical illness polyneuropathy and myopathy. Both components occur in 30-50% of patients, while the others predominantly show a pure myopathy, while pure neuropathy is rare. Meanwhile, the descriptive term of the concept as intensive care unit-acquired weakness (ICUAW) is preferred. The most significant risk factors for the development of ICUAW are sepsis, multiorgan dysfunction and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). In at least one third of patients, persistent impairment by paralysis, sensory disturbances and balance problems persist when they leave the ICU. At approximately 10%, these leg-accentuated and highly everyday relevant disorders persist over the first year after ICU therapy. Pure myopathy rarely leads to residual disturbances, while the neuropathic component is responsible for long-term impairments.
Topics: Critical Illness; Humans; Intensive Care Units; Muscular Diseases; Polyneuropathies; Sepsis
PubMed: 28875277
DOI: 10.1007/s00063-017-0339-0 -
Deutsches Arzteblatt International Feb 2018Polyneuropathies (peripheral neuropathies) are the most common type of disorder of the peripheral nervous system in adults, and specifically in the elderly, with an... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Polyneuropathies (peripheral neuropathies) are the most common type of disorder of the peripheral nervous system in adults, and specifically in the elderly, with an estimated prevalence of 5-8%, depending on age. The options for treatment depend on the cause, which should therefore be identified as precisely as possible by an appropriate diagnostic evaluation.
METHODS
This review is based on the current guidelines and on large-scale cohort studies and randomized, controlled trials published from 2000 to 2017, with an emphasis on non-hereditary types of polyneuropathy, that were retrieved by a selective search in PubMed.
RESULTS
Diabetes is the most common cause of polyneuropathy in Europe and North America. Alcohol-associated polyneuropathy has a prevalence of 22-66% among persons with chronic alcoholism. Because of the increasing prevalence of malignant disease and the use of new chemotherapeutic drugs, chemotherapy-induced neuropathies (CIN) have gained in clinical importance; their prevalence is often stated to be 30-40%, with high variation depending on the drug(s) and treatment regimen used. Polyneuropathy can also arise from genetic causes or as a consequence of vitamin deficiency or overdose, exposure to toxic substances and drugs, and a variety of immunological processes. About half of all cases of polyneu - ropathy are associated with pain. Neuropathic pain can be treated symptomatically with medication. Exercise, physiotherapy, and ergotherapy can also be beneficial, depending on the patient's symptoms and functional deficits.
CONCLUSION
A timely diagnosis of the cause of polyneuropathy is a prerequisite for the initiation of appropriate specific treatment. Patients with severe neuropathy of unidentified cause should be referred to a specialized center for a thorough diagnostic evaluation.
Topics: Female; Humans; Male; Neuralgia; Polyneuropathies
PubMed: 29478436
DOI: 10.3238/arztebl.2018.083 -
Journal of Applied Physiology... May 2021Critical illness-associated weakness (CIAW) is an umbrella term used to describe a group of neuromuscular disorders caused by severe illness. It can be subdivided into...
Critical illness-associated weakness (CIAW) is an umbrella term used to describe a group of neuromuscular disorders caused by severe illness. It can be subdivided into three major classifications based on the component of the neuromuscular system (i.e. peripheral nerves or skeletal muscle or both) that are affected. This includes critical illness polyneuropathy (CIP), critical illness myopathy (CIM), and an overlap syndrome, critical illness polyneuromyopathy (CIPNM). It is a common complication observed in people with critical illness requiring intensive care unit (ICU) admission. Given CIAW is found in individuals experiencing grave illness, it can be challenging to study from a practical standpoint. However, over the past 2 decades, many insights into the pathophysiology of this condition have been made. Results from studies in both humans and animal models have found that a profound systemic inflammatory response and factors related to bioenergetic failure as well as microvascular, metabolic, and electrophysiological alterations underlie the development of CIAW. Current management strategies focus on early mobilization, achieving euglycemia, and nutritional optimization. Other interventions lack sufficient evidence, mainly due to a dearth of large trials. The goal of this Physiology in Medicine article is to highlight important aspects of the pathophysiology of these enigmatic conditions. It is hoped that improved understanding of the mechanisms underlying these disorders will lead to further study and new investigations for novel pharmacologic, nutritional, and exercise-based interventions to optimize patient outcomes.
Topics: Critical Care; Critical Illness; Humans; Intensive Care Units; Muscular Diseases; Neuromuscular Diseases; Polyneuropathies
PubMed: 33734888
DOI: 10.1152/japplphysiol.00019.2021 -
European Journal of Epidemiology Jan 2016Polyneuropathy is a disabling condition of the peripheral nerves, characterized by symmetrical distal numbness and paresthesia, often accompanied with pain and weakness.... (Review)
Review
Polyneuropathy is a disabling condition of the peripheral nerves, characterized by symmetrical distal numbness and paresthesia, often accompanied with pain and weakness. Although the disease is often encountered in neurological clinics and is well known by physicians, incidence and prevalence rates are not well known. We searched EMBASE, Medline, Web-of-science, Cochrane, PubMed Publisher, and Google Scholar, for population-based studies investigating the prevalence of polyneuropathy and its risk factors. Out of 5119 papers, we identified 29 eligible studies, consisting of 11 door-to-door survey studies, 7 case-control studies and 11 cohort/database studies. Prevalence of polyneuropathy across these studies varies substantially. This can partly be explained by differences in assessment protocols and study populations. The overall prevalence of polyneuropathy in the general population seems around 1% and rises to up to 7% in the elderly. Polyneuropathy seemed more common in Western countries than in developing countries and there are indications that females are more often affected than males. Risk factor profiles differ across countries. In developing countries communicable diseases, like leprosy, are more common causes of neuropathy, whereas in Western countries especially diabetes, alcohol overconsumption, cytostatic drugs and cardiovascular disease are more commonly associated with polyneuropathy. In all studies a substantial proportion of polyneuropathy cases (20-30%) remains idiopathic. Most of these studies have been performed over 15 years ago. More recent evidence suggests that the prevalence of polyneuropathy in the general population has increased over the years. Future research is necessary to confirm this increase in prevalence and to identify new and potentially modifiable risk factors.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Age Factors; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Chronic Disease; Female; Humans; Incidence; Male; Polyneuropathies; Prevalence; Risk Factors; Sex Factors
PubMed: 26700499
DOI: 10.1007/s10654-015-0094-6 -
Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice Apr 2022Diabetic sensorimotor polyneuropathy (DSPN) affects around one third of people with diabetes and accounts for considerable morbidity, increased risk of mortality,... (Review)
Review
Diabetic sensorimotor polyneuropathy (DSPN) affects around one third of people with diabetes and accounts for considerable morbidity, increased risk of mortality, reduced quality of life, and increased health care costs resulting particularly from neuropathic pain and foot ulcers. Painful DSPN is encountered in 13-26% of diabetes patients, while up to 50% of patients with DSPN may be asymptomatic. Unfortunately, DSPN still remains inadequately diagnosed and treated. Herein we provide international expert consensus recommendations and algorithms for screening, diagnosis, and treatment of DSPN in clinical practice derived from a Delphi process. Typical neuropathic symptoms include pain, paresthesias, and numbness particularly in the feet and calves. Clinical diagnosis of DSPN is based on neuropathic symptoms and signs (deficits). Management of DSPN includes three cornerstones: (1) lifestyle modification, optimal diabetes treatment aimed at near-normoglycemia, and multifactorial cardiovascular risk intervention, (2) pathogenetically oriented pharmacotherapy (e.g. α-lipoic acid and benfotiamine), and (3) symptomatic treatment of neuropathic pain including analgesic pharmacotherapy (antidepressants, anticonvulsants, opioids, capsaicin 8% patch and combinations, if required) and non-pharmacological options. Considering the individual risk profile, pain management should not only aim at pain relief, but also allow for improvement in quality of sleep, functionality, and general quality of life.
Topics: Consensus; Diabetes Mellitus; Diabetic Neuropathies; Humans; Neuralgia; Polyneuropathies; Quality of Life
PubMed: 34547367
DOI: 10.1016/j.diabres.2021.109063 -
Journal of Neurology Jun 2021Amyloid transthyretin (ATTR) amyloidosis with polyneuropathy (PN) is a progressive, debilitating, systemic disease wherein transthyretin protein misfolds to form... (Review)
Review
Amyloid transthyretin (ATTR) amyloidosis with polyneuropathy (PN) is a progressive, debilitating, systemic disease wherein transthyretin protein misfolds to form amyloid, which is deposited in the endoneurium. ATTR amyloidosis with PN is the most serious hereditary polyneuropathy of adult onset. It arises from a hereditary mutation in the TTR gene and may involve the heart as well as other organs. It is critical to identify and diagnose the disease earlier because treatments are available to help slow the progression of neuropathy. Early diagnosis is complicated, however, because presentation may vary and family history is not always known. Symptoms may be mistakenly attributed to other diseases such as chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP), idiopathic axonal polyneuropathy, lumbar spinal stenosis, and, more rarely, diabetic neuropathy and AL amyloidosis. In endemic countries (e.g., Portugal, Japan, Sweden, Brazil), ATTR amyloidosis with PN should be suspected in any patient who has length-dependent small-fiber PN with autonomic dysfunction and a family history of ATTR amyloidosis, unexplained weight loss, heart rhythm disorders, vitreous opacities, or renal abnormalities. In nonendemic countries, the disease may present as idiopathic rapidly progressive sensory motor axonal neuropathy or atypical CIDP with any of the above symptoms or with bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, gait disorders, or cardiac hypertrophy. Diagnosis should include DNA testing, biopsy, and amyloid typing. Patients should be followed up every 6-12 months, depending on the severity of the disease and response to therapy. This review outlines detailed recommendations to improve the diagnosis of ATTR amyloidosis with PN.
Topics: Adult; Amyloid Neuropathies, Familial; Brazil; Consensus; Humans; Japan; Polyneuropathies; Portugal; Prealbumin; Sweden
PubMed: 31907599
DOI: 10.1007/s00415-019-09688-0 -
JAMA Nov 2015Peripheral neuropathy is a highly prevalent and morbid condition affecting 2% to 7% of the population. Patients frequently experience pain and are at risk of falls,... (Review)
Review
IMPORTANCE
Peripheral neuropathy is a highly prevalent and morbid condition affecting 2% to 7% of the population. Patients frequently experience pain and are at risk of falls, ulcerations, and amputations. We aimed to review recent diagnostic and therapeutic advances in distal symmetric polyneuropathy, the most common subtype of peripheral neuropathy.
OBSERVATIONS
Current evidence supports limited routine laboratory testing in patients with distal symmetric polyneuropathy. Patients without a known cause should undergo a complete blood cell count, comprehensive metabolic panel, vitamin B12 measurement, serum protein electrophoresis with immunofixation, fasting glucose measurement, and glucose tolerance test. The presence of atypical features such as asymmetry, non-length dependence, motor predominance, acute or subacute onset, and prominent autonomic involvement should prompt a consultation with a neurologist or neuromuscular specialist. Electrodiagnostic tests and magnetic resonance imaging of the neuroaxis contribute substantial cost to the diagnostic evaluation, but evidence supporting their use is lacking. Strong evidence supports the use of tricyclic antidepressants, serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, and voltage-gated calcium channel ligands in the treatment of neuropathic pain. More intensive glucose control substantially reduces the incidence of distal symmetric polyneuropathy in patients with type 1 diabetes but not in those with type 2 diabetes.
CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE
The opportunity exists to improve guideline-concordant testing in patients with distal symmetric polyneuropathy. Moreover, the role of electrodiagnostic tests needs to be further defined, and interventions to reduce magnetic resonance imaging use in this population are needed. Even though several efficacious medications exist for neuropathic pain treatment, pain is still underrecognized and undertreated. New disease-modifying medications are needed to prevent and treat peripheral neuropathy, particularly in type 2 diabetes.
Topics: Antidepressive Agents; Calcium Channel Blockers; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Electrodiagnosis; Humans; Hypoglycemic Agents; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Polyneuropathies; Practice Guidelines as Topic; Serotonin and Noradrenaline Reuptake Inhibitors
PubMed: 26599185
DOI: 10.1001/jama.2015.13611 -
Cell Metabolism Sep 2023The pathogenic mechanisms underlying distal symmetric polyneuropathy (DSPN), a common neuropathy in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM), are not fully understood.... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
The pathogenic mechanisms underlying distal symmetric polyneuropathy (DSPN), a common neuropathy in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM), are not fully understood. Here, we discover that the gut microbiota from patients with DSPN can induce a phenotype exhibiting more severe peripheral neuropathy in db/db mice. In a randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled trial (ChiCTR1800017257), compared to 10 patients who received placebo, DSPN was significantly alleviated in the 22 patients who received fecal microbiota transplants from healthy donors, independent of glycemic control. The gut bacterial genomes that correlated with the Toronto Clinical Scoring System (TCSS) score were organized in two competing guilds. Increased guild 1, which had higher capacity in butyrate production, and decreased guild 2, which harbored more genes in synthetic pathway of endotoxin, were associated with improved gut barrier integrity and decreased proinflammatory cytokine levels. Moreover, matched enterotype between transplants and recipients showed better therapeutic efficacy with more enriched guild 1 and suppressed guild 2. Thus, changes in these two competing guilds may play a causative role in DSPN and have the potential for therapeutic targeting.
Topics: Diabetic Neuropathies; Gastrointestinal Microbiome; Polyneuropathies; Humans
PubMed: 37451270
DOI: 10.1016/j.cmet.2023.06.010 -
In Vivo (Athens, Greece) 2023Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a common side effect of cancer treatment, resulting in pain, numbness, instability, and thus affecting quality of... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND/AIM
Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a common side effect of cancer treatment, resulting in pain, numbness, instability, and thus affecting quality of life (QoL), occasionally leading to discontinuation of chemotherapy. Pharmacological treatments are not sufficient. Non-pharmacological interventions (NPIs) have also been tried. This study aimed to systematically review the efficacy of NPIs on pain and QoL in patients suffering from CIPN.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The databases searched were Pubmed, Cohrane, and Scopus for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published in the last 5 years (2017-2022). Studies were considered eligible, if they assessed adult patients suffering from CIPN because of any chemotherapeutic drug for any type and any stage of cancer and if study protocols included non-pharmacological intervention with a structured protocol.
RESULTS
A total of 1,496 records were identified. Finally, 10 RCTs including 495 patients (253 in the intervention group and 242 in the control group) were included for meta-analysis. Intervention protocols included acupuncture (n=6), exercise (n=3), and yoga (n=1). NPIs significantly reduced neuropathic pain. However, the effect on QoL was not significant.
CONCLUSION
NPIs are beneficial in the treatment of pain in patients with CIPN but their impact on QoL is not statistically supported. Larger sample sizes, more homogenous in outcome measures and interventions are needed to further explore NPIs' efficacy on CIPN symptoms.
Topics: Adult; Humans; Antineoplastic Agents; Neoplasms; Polyneuropathies; Neuralgia; Quality of Life
PubMed: 36593011
DOI: 10.21873/invivo.13053 -
Deutsches Arzteblatt International Feb 2018
Topics: Critical Pathways; Humans; Polyneuropathies
PubMed: 29478434
DOI: 10.3238/arztebl.2018.0081