A review on the investigation of peripheral neuropathy at Mater Dei Hospital

Abstract

The term peripheral neuropathy encompasses a wide range of disorders. The underlying causes of peripheral neuropathy are diverse. It is very difficult to ascertain the incidence of peripheral neuropathy with any degree of certainty, but it is a manifestation of several common multisystem disorders, whose incidence is on the rise, such as diabetes and Human Immunodeficiency (HIV) virus infection. Worldwide, the population prevalence is about 2,400 per 100,000 (2.4%), rising with age to 8,000 per 100,000 (8%).1 Peripheral neuropathy can significantly impact an individual's quality of life especially if undiagnosed and untreated. Investigation of peripheral neuropathy is expensive and time consuming, and is best performed in a stepwise approach. Even in the best of circumstances, an aetiological diagnosis is not always achieved. At present, the existing guidelines deal with the treatment of peripheral neuropathy but there are none on how patients with peripheral neuropathy should be investigated.