title: Peripheral neuropathy: an underreported neurologic manifestation of inflammatory bowel disease.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  One of the most frequent neurologic complications reported in inflammatory bowel disease population is peripheral neuropathy; however, clinical aspects of peripheral nerve damage are not well characterized. The aim of the review is to present the existing literature on peripheral neuropathy in inflammatory bowel disease patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  A literature search identified the publications reporting on epidemiology, clinical features, underlying mechanisms and management of ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease patients with peripheral nerve involvement.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The pathogenesis of peripheral nervous system damage in inflammatory bowel disease has yet to be elucidated, although it seems to be related to immune mechanisms; therefore, treatment with immunotherapy is recommended. In addition, peripheral neuropathy may appear as iatrogenic-related disorders associated with several drugs used in controlling inflammatory bowel disease activity; finally, peripheral neuropathy may also be caused by micronutrient deficiencies secondary to malabsorption-related disorders.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although peripheral nervous nerve damage associated with inflammatory bowel disease is rarely reported, clinicians should be aware of the peripheral neuropathy clinical manifestations in order to recognize it and provide early treatment, which is crucial for preventing major neurologic morbidity. Heightened awareness is necessary for the successful management of these patients.
authors.affiliation: Neurology Department, Hospital Universitario Central Asturias, Avda de Roma s/n, Oviedo, Asturias 33011, Spain. Electronic address: c.garciacabo@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Carmen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: García-Cabo
authors.affiliation: Neurology Department, Hospital Universitario Central Asturias, Avda de Roma s/n, Oviedo, Asturias 33011, Spain. Electronic address: gmorist@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Germán
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Morís
mesh_terms: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015212:Inflammatory Bowel Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D044342:Malnutrition / Q000150:complications*; D010523:Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology
chemical_list: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents
keywords: Autoimmune polyneuropathy; Crohn's disease; Inflammatory bowel disease; Peripheral neuropathy; Toxic polyneuropathy; Ulcerative colitis