Is polyneuropathy reversible?

Polyneuropathy

A new study by Ng Wing Tin et al. suggests it might be. Patients with polyneuropathy associated with glycemic disorder or metabolic syndrome (GDMS) were included in this pilot study using Medoc’s TSA device.

Patients were randomized into either standard care that included lifestyle recommendations, or coaching care that additionally included a weekly phone call from the doctor where adherence to the recommendations was monitored and encouraged.

Patients underwent assessment at baseline and at three months follow-up. The composite score of sensory neurophysiological measures improved in three months’ time only for the more closely monitored group compared to the standard care group, even in the absence of improvement in blood values. This can be possibly explained by the fact that some characteristics of GDMS are linked to mechanisms like oxidative stress, inflammation and micro-vasculopathy, that affect nerve function and which may change promptly.

In summary, patients with GDMS-associated polyneuropathy that are monitored and encouraged regularly, may be able to improve anomalous measures associated with peripheral nerve function.

Link to the full-text article: https://reader.elsevier.com/reader/sd/pii/S0987705318302387?token=B6D95657D8B16C4F113E483746D081CD7B7D33DA4BAD2363D2C56A904489C2F07BD05E3BAC252E54F48939394CF570CE