Peripheral neuropathy in the elderly

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Psychol Neuropsychiatr Vieil. 2006 Jun 1;4(2):109-119.

Peripheral neuropathy in the elderly.

Le Forestier N, Bouche P.

Federation des maladies du systeme nerveux, Hopital de la

Salpetriere, Paris.

Peripheral neurologic deficits are commonly found during physical

examination of older patients. Losses of vibratory sensation in the

lower extremities and ankle reflexes are so common that they are

often listed in geriatric textbooks as normal physical findings in

very old people.

In this population, the detection of peripheral neuropathy, which may

lead to a serious disability, is an important contribution to the

health care but there is very little information in the literature

about its actual prevalence and etiology. The epidemiological,

clinical, morphological, electrophysiological data on the peripheral

nervous system abnormalities in elderly are reviewed.

A strategy of investigations is proposed to improve the

identification of the etiology of their peripheral neuropathy.