[Course of chronic idiopathic polyneuropathy during middle age and older: 2-year follow-up study].
OBJECTIVE
To study the clinical features and natural course of idiopathic polyneuropathy.


METHODS
Prognostic and descriptive cohort study.


METHODS
University Hospital, Utrecht, the Netherlands.


METHODS
75 patients (46 men, 29 women) with a mean age of 56.5 years at onset of symptoms were clinically investigated during two years.


RESULTS
The features of chronic idiopathic polyneuropathy were heterogeneous. Clinically, 44 patients had a sensorimotor, 29 patients a sensory and 2 patients a motor polyneuropathy. Electrophysiological and nerve biopsy studies were compatible with an axonal polyneuropathy. The overall clinical course was slowly progressive. None of the patients became severely disabled. After one year of follow up one patient proved to have a hereditary neuropathy. In the other 74 patients no cause for the polyneuropathy was found even after 2 years of follow-up.


CONCLUSIONS
Chronic idiopathic polyneuropathy is a heterogeneous entity, leading to only slight disability. The neuropathy is due to axonal degeneration.
Afd. Neurologie, Academisch Ziekenhuis, Utrecht.
N C
NC
Notermans
J H
JH
Wokke
H
H
Franssen
M
M
Vermeulen
H F
HF
Busch
F G
FG
Jennekens
D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D001132:Arm / Q000294:innervation; D002908:Chronic Disease; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg / Q000294:innervation; D008297:Male; D008487:Medical History Taking; D008875:Middle Aged; D009410:Nerve Degeneration; D009460:Neurologic Examination; D010523:Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies
Beloop van chronische idiopathische polyneuropathie op middelbare of oudere leeftijd: 2 jaar follow-up-onderzoek.