title: Peripheral nervous system manifestations in systemic autoimmune diseases.
abstract: The peripheral nervous system refers to parts of the nervous system outside the brain and spinal cord. Systemic autoimmune diseases can affect both the central and peripheral nervous systems in a myriad of ways and through a heterogeneous number of mechanisms leading to many different clinical manifestations. As a result, neurological complications of these disorders can result in significant morbidity and mortality. The most common complication of peripheral nervous system (PNS) involvement is peripheral neuropathy, with symptoms of numbness, sensory paresthesias, weakness, or gait imbalance. The neuropathy may be multifocal and asymmetric or, less frequently, distal and symmetric.
authors.affiliation: Clinic of Neurology, Colentina Clinical Hospital, "Carol Davila" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania.
authors.forename: Inimioara Mihaela
authors.initials: IM
authors.lastname: Cojocaru
authors.affiliation: Discipline of Physiology, "Dr. Ion Stoia" Clinical Center for Rheumatic Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, "Titu Maiorescu" University, Bucharest, Romania.
authors.forename: Manole
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cojocaru
authors.affiliation: Discipline of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Craiova, Romania.
authors.forename: Isabela
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Silosi
authors.affiliation: "Sfantul Ioan" Emergency Clinical Hospital, "Victor Babes" National Institute for Pathology and Biomedical Sciences, "Carol Davila" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania.
authors.forename: Camelia Doina
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Vrabie
keywords: neurological complications; peripheral nervous system; systemic autoimmune diseases