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Rheumatoid neuropathy: a histological and electrophysiological study
Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry
|October 1, 1970
Summary
Rheumatoid neuropathy involves nerve damage, primarily axonal degeneration, correlating with disease severity. Vascular disease in vasa nervorum is the likely cause of this peripheral nerve damage.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Rheumatology
- Pathology
Background:
- Rheumatoid neuropathy is a complication of rheumatoid arthritis.
- Nerve damage in rheumatoid neuropathy can range from mild sensory loss to severe sensorimotor deficits.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the electrophysiological and histological characteristics of peripheral nerve damage in rheumatoid neuropathy.
- To correlate clinical disease severity with the degree of nerve damage.
Main Methods:
- Electrophysiological examination of peripheral nerves.
- Sural nerve biopsy for histological analysis.
- Correlation of clinical findings with electrophysiological and histological data.
Main Results:
- A strong correlation was observed between clinical rheumatoid neuropathy severity and nerve damage.
- Mild neuropathy showed axonal degeneration and segmental demyelination in large myelinated fibers.
- Severe neuropathy exhibited extensive loss of myelinated fibers, including large and small fibers, and non-myelinated axons.
- Axonal degeneration was the predominant finding, with some segmental demyelination present.
Conclusions:
- Peripheral nerve damage in rheumatoid neuropathy is primarily axonal degeneration, with some demyelination.
- Occlusive vascular disease affecting the vasa nervorum is implicated as the main cause of nerve damage.
- Nerve damage severity closely mirrors the clinical presentation of rheumatoid neuropathy.
