Polyneuropathies (PNP) (synonyms: peripheral neuropathies; polyneuropathy; ICD-10 G60-G64: polyneuropathies and other diseases of the peripheral nervous system) is a generic term for diseases of the peripheral nervous system that are associated with chronic disorders of peripheral nerves or parts of nerves. These lead predominantly to sensory disturbances (insensations or numbness) in the affected regions of the body.
Since polyneuropathy is a variety of different diseases and manifestations, it is better to speak of a polyneuropathic syndrome.
The most common causes of polyneuropathy are:
- Diabetes mellitus
- Approximately 75% of all polyneuropathies (PNP) are caused by diabetes mellitus and alcohol abuse (alcohol dependence).
- Approximately 50% of diabetics develop a polyneuropathy (CIN) in the course.
- Alcohol
- Approximately 22-66% of chronic alcoholics have alcohol-associated polyneuropathy.
- Chemotherapy
- Approximately 30-40% of tumor patients develop chemotherapy-induced neuropathy (CIN) during chemotherapy.
The following courses of polyneuropathy are distinguished:
- Acute (e.g. Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS)).
- Subacute (e.g., vasculitis/vascular inflammation).
- Chronic (e.g., diabetes mellitus)
- Highly chronic (e.g., hereditary neuropathies/hereditary nerve diseases).
The most common form of polyneuropathy is distal symmetric polyneuropathy (see “Symptoms – Complaints” for details).
The prevalence (disease frequency) of polyneuropathies is about 5-8% in the adult or elderly population. When combining probable and definite polyneuropathy, the age-standardized prevalence in a Dutch study was 9.4% (7.9-11.1).PNP are thus the most common disease of the peripheral nervous system.
Course and prognosis:The course and prognosis of a polyneuropathy depend on the underlying disease.If diabetes mellitus or alcohol is the trigger of a polyneuropathy, there are sensory symptoms, for example, numbness, stinging, or gait unsteadiness.Approximately 50% of all polyneuropathies are accompanied by pain. Neuropathic pain can be relieved by medication. For diabetic polyneuropathy, see below for the disease of the same name.