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Sensorimotor peripheral neuropathy in rheumatoid arthritis
P A McCombe1, A C Klestov, A E Tannenberg
1Department of Neurology, Royal Brisbane Hospital.
Clinical and Experimental Neurology
|January 1, 1991
Summary
Rheumatoid arthritis can cause severe nerve damage (neuropathy), including axonal and demyelinating types. Corticosteroid treatment helped stabilize or improve these patients with rheumatoid arthritis-associated neuropathy.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Rheumatology
- Immunology
Background:
- Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease primarily affecting joints.
- Neuropathy is a known but less common complication of RA.
- This study examines rare presentations of neuropathy in RA patients.
Observation:
- Three patients with severe sensorimotor neuropathy associated with rheumatoid arthritis were identified.
- Two patients presented with vasculitis and axonal neuropathy, occurring early in their RA disease course.
- One patient exhibited a demyelinating neuropathy with elevated cerebrospinal fluid protein, suggesting chronic inflammatory neuropathy.
Findings:
- The observed neuropathies included both axonal and demyelinating types.
- Early-onset neuropathy was noted in two vasculitic patients.
- High cerebrospinal fluid protein indicated a potential chronic inflammatory neuropathy in the third patient.
Implications:
- Early recognition and treatment of neuropathy in RA are crucial.
- Corticosteroid therapy demonstrated efficacy in managing these complex cases.
- Understanding diverse neuropathy presentations can improve patient outcomes in rheumatoid arthritis.