PERIPHERAL NEUROPATHY AND CONNECTIVE-TISSUE DISEASE - WATCH FOR THIS TWOSOME WHEN HUNTING FOR A DIAGNOSIS

Coexistent peripheral neuropathy and connective tissue disease is fair ly common, possibly because immune-mediated factors are often present in both disorders. Awareness of the association between the two condit ions can be important during diagnostic evaluation, because neuropathy is sometimes the presenting feature of previously unrecognized connec tive tissue disease. In this article, the authors examine clinical fin dings in vasculitic, nonvasculitic, and treatment-related neuropathy, concentrating on the essentials of diagnosis and treatment.