title: Clinical Manifestations of Isolated Elevated Homocysteine-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy in Adults.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To characterize the clinical features of isolated elevated plasma homocysteine (eHcy)-induced peripheral neuropathy (IHIN) in adults.
  
  
  METHODS
  Charts of subjects with the diagnosis of IHIN who visited neuromuscular clinic from January 01, 2012 to September 30, 2014 were reviewed. Subjects with identifiable etiologies for neuropathy, such as B12/folate deficiency; metabolic, toxic, endocrinologic, infectious/inflammatory renal or liver diseases; or traumatic nerve injury, were excluded. Their clinical presentations were recorded and analyzed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Thirty subjects (age: 63.2 ± 14.8 years, 13 males) were included. They all had an isolated increased homocysteine level (15.4 ± 5.3 μmol/L) but normal levels of B12, folate, and methylmalonic acid. Of 30, 14 (46.7%) had numb feet, 11 (36.7%) had numb hands, 7 (23.3%) had pain in lower extremities, and 10 (33.3%) had tingling in feet. Distal sensory deficits were present in 18/30 (60%) patients. Distal limb weakness was seen in 4 and decreased tendon reflexes in 12 patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Sensory deficits are predominant components of IHIN. Characterizing clinical features of IHIN would help better understand eHcy-related neuropathy and improve its management.
authors.affiliation: Departments of *Neurology and †Pharmacology, Temple University School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA.
authors.forename: Varun
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Shandal
authors.forename: Jin Jun
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Luo
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006710:Homocysteine / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010523:Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014806:Vitamin B 12 Deficiency / Q000150:complications*
chemical_list: D006710:Homocysteine