CHRONIC SYMMETRICAL SYMPTOMATIC POLYNEUROPATHY IN THE ELDERLY - A FIELD SCREENING INVESTIGATION IN 2 ITALIAN REGIONS .1. PREVALENCE AND GENERAL-CHARACTERISTICS OF THE SAMPLE

The prevalence and general characteristics of chronic symmetric sympto matic polyneuropathy were assessed in two elderly populations living i n Varese, northern Italy, and San Giovanni Rotondo, southern Italy. We interviewed 4,191 subjects (3,027 in Varese and 1,164 in San Giovanni Rotondo), 55 years and older, seen in office consultations by 27 gene ral practitioners, A neurologist examined 734 patients who had two or more symptoms of polyneuropathy, A diagnosis of possible polyneuropath y (screening neuropathic symptoms and one of the following findings: b ilateral impairment of strength; bilateral impairment of sensation; bi lateral impairment of deep tendon reflexes) was made in 213 patients ( 7.0%) in Varese and 94 (8.1%) in San Giovanni Rotondo. Probable polyne uropathy (screening symptoms and at least two of the physical findings ) was present in 111 Varese patients (3.7%) and 40 San Giovanni Rotond o patients (3.4%). The age- and sex-adjusted prevalence rate of probab le polyneuropathy was 3.6 per 100 in Varese and 3.3 per 100 in San Gio vanni Rotondo, The disease was more prevalent in women in Varese and i n men in San Giovanni Rotondo and was significantly correlated with ag e in Varese, Diabetes was found in association with probable polyneuro pathy in 43.7% of patients. Muscle cramps and distal paresthesia were the main symptoms. In general, polyneuropathy was mild to moderate, im pairment of deep tendon reflexes and sensation being the most common f indings.