Peripheral neuropathy incidence in inflammatory bowel disease: a population-based study

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Neurology
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is associated with various extraintestinal manifestations.
• Peripheral neuropathy is a potential complication, but its incidence in IBD populations is not well-established.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the incidence of peripheral neuropathy in a population-based cohort of patients with newly diagnosed inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Main Methods:

• Retrospective ascertainment of neuropathy incidence in an Olmsted County, Minnesota IBD cohort (1940-2004).
• Utilized the Rochester Epidemiology Project medical records linkage system.
• Kaplan-Meier method to estimate cumulative incidence.

Main Results:

• 9 out of 772 IBD patients developed neuropathy over 12,476 person-years (incidence rate: 72 per 100,000 IBD person-years).
• Cumulative incidence at 10, 20, and 30 years was 0.7%, 0.7%, and 2.4%, respectively.
• Neuropathy occurred during inactive IBD periods in most cases and included radiculoplexus and sensorimotor polyneuropathy.

Conclusions:

• Neuropathy is uncommon in the general IBD population.
• Observed neuropathy types include radiculoplexus and sensorimotor polyneuropathy.
• Clinicians should consider other etiologies for neuropathy in IBD patients, as it often occurs during inactive disease.