Polyneuropathies – Related resources

Cochrane reviews

• Corticosteroids seem to have limited effect in the short term in chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP). Standard-dose daily oral corticosteroid (prednisolone) seems to be as beneficial as high-dose oral corticosteroid (dexamethasone), although the evidence is insufficient.
• There is insufficient evidence to decide whether azathioprine or interferon beta is beneficial in chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy .
• Plasma exchange may provide significant short-term benefit for patients with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy but rapid deterioration may occur afterwards .
• Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) may improve disability in chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP), having probably similar efficacy to plasma exchange and oral prednisolone .
• There is insufficient evidence on longer-term benefits of immunotherapies in anti-myelin associated glycoprotein paraproteinaemic peripheral neuropathy .
• In multifocal motor neuropathy mycophenolate mofetil might possibly not be beneficial. There is no evidence from randomised controlled trials of other immunosuppressive treatments .
• Ascorbic acid does not improve the course of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 1A in adults or children. .
• There is insufficient evidence on interventions for increasing ankle range of motion in Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 1A or Duchenne muscular dystrophy .
• An exercise programme seems to increase the ability to walk in patients with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, although the evidence is insufficient .

Other Internet resources

• Hereditary neuropathy with liability to pressure palsies. Orphanet ORPHA640
• Multifocal motor neuropathy with conduction block. Orphanet ORPHA641

Literature

• Rutkove SB. A 52-year-old woman with disabling peripheral neuropathy: review of diabetic polyneuropathy. JAMA 2009 Oct 7;302(13):1451-8.
• Winer JB. Guillain-Barré syndrome. BMJ 2008 Jul 17;337():a671. England JD, Gronseth GS, Franklin G et al; American Academy of Neurology, American Association of Electrodiagnostic Medicine, American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. Distal symmetric polyneuropathy: a definition for clinical research: report of the American Academy of Neurology, the American Association of Electrodiagnostic Medicine, and the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. Neurology 2005 Jan 25;64(2):199-207.
• England JD, Gronseth GS, Franklin G et al; American Academy of Neurology. Practice Parameter: evaluation of distal symmetric polyneuropathy: role of autonomic testing, nerve biopsy, and skin biopsy (an evidence-based review). Report of the American Academy of Neurology, American Association of Neuromuscular and Electrodiagnostic Medicine, and American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. Neurology 2009 Jan 13;72(2):177-84.