RECOGNIZING PERIPHERAL NEUROPATHY - HOW TO READ THE CLUES TO AN UNDERLYING CAUSE

Several systemic diseases, including some common ones (eg, diabetes, r heumatoid arthritis, thyroid disease) can cause symptoms of peripheral nerve dysfunction. Efficient identification and treatment of the unde rlying disorder can avoid costly and unnecessary testing. Patients' de scriptions of symptoms and their onset, specific deficits found on phy sical examination, and family and medical history provide many clues t o the cause of the neuropathy. Nerve conduction studies, electromyogra phy and, when necessary, nerve biopsy serve as complements to clinical evaluation.