Neuropatía periférica en el adulto mayor: diagnóstico y tratamiento.

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Bibliographic Details
Title:	Neuropatía periférica en el adulto mayor: diagnóstico y tratamiento.
Alternate Title:	Diagnosis and management of peripheral neuropathy in elderly adults.
Authors:	Prado, Fabiola¹ fapraden@gmail.com
Source:	Medicina Interna de México. jul2025, Vol. 41 Issue 7, p424-438. 15p.
Subjects:	VITAMIN B12 deficiency, SCIENTIFIC literature, PERIPHERAL neuropathy, SYMPTOMS, IDIOPATHIC diseases
Abstract (English):	BACKGROUND: Peripheral neuropathy impacts functional capacity and interferes with healthy ageing in elderly adults. The high prevalence of idiopathic cases reduces the therapeutic options. OBJECTIVE: To summarize the key aspects of diagnosis and management of peripheral neuropathy in adults, sixty-four and older. METHODOLOGY: Indexed, high quality scientific literature search. RESULTS: Physiologic changes in ageing increase the risk of developing peripheral neuropathy in elderly adults. Peripheral neuropathy may be classified in five clinical patterns. The onset, progression, type of nervous fiber damaged and clinical presentation help clinicians in the differential diagnosis workup. The most common causes of peripheral neuropathy in elderly adults are diabetes, nutritional deficiencies (either due to impairments of absorption or to urinary micronutrient loss), especially the related to vitamin B12 deficiency, neurotoxic medications or toxins. There are also cases of immune mediated peripheral neuropathy. Treatment includes prevention of neurologic damage, management of treatable causes and secondary prevention of related complications. CONCLUSIONS: Beyond symptomatic pain, peripheral neuropathy includes a broad spectrum of signs and symptoms, such as falls and fear of falling, gait and equilibrium disturbances, all of which affect functional capacity. Management depends largely on an accurate causal diagnosis. Prevention of neurological damage, and prompt treatment are clue to therapeutic success. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Abstract (Spanish):	ANTECEDENTES: La neuropatía periférica repercute en la funcionalidad y el envejecimiento saludable de los adultos mayores. Un alto porcentaje queda sin diagnóstico causal, lo que reduce las opciones terapéuticas. OBJETIVO: Resumir los aspectos decisivos del diagnóstico y tratamiento de la neuropatía periférica en adultos mayores de 64 años. METODOLOGÍA: Búsqueda de bibliografía indexada y de alta calidad científica. RESULTADOS: Los cambios fisiológicos que ocurren al envejecer aumentan el riesgo de neuropatía periférica en los adultos mayores. La neuropatía periférica puede clasificarse en cinco patrones clínicos. El inicio, avance, tipo de fibras afectadas y características clínicas apoyan al clínico para el diagnóstico diferencial. Las causas más comunes de neuropatía periférica en adultos mayores son la diabetes, deficiencias nutricionales (por reducción de la absorción o por pérdidas urinarias de micronutrientes), medicamentos y toxinas neurotóxicas; también hay casos de neuropatía periférica mediada por inmunidad. La prevención del daño neurológico, la atención médica a las causas tratables y la prevención de complicaciones son acciones indispensables del tratamiento integral. CONCLUSIONES: Además del dolor, la neuropatía periférica ocasiona miedo a caerse, dificultad para la marcha y pérdida de sensibilidad y equilibrio. Estos problemas afectan la funcionalidad y promueven un envejecimiento patológico. El tratamiento depende, en gran medida, del diagnóstico causal. La prevención del daño neurológico y el tratamiento temprano son decisivos para el éxito terapéutico. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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Database:	MedicLatina

Description
Abstract:	BACKGROUND: Peripheral neuropathy impacts functional capacity and interferes with healthy ageing in elderly adults. The high prevalence of idiopathic cases reduces the therapeutic options. OBJECTIVE: To summarize the key aspects of diagnosis and management of peripheral neuropathy in adults, sixty-four and older. METHODOLOGY: Indexed, high quality scientific literature search. RESULTS: Physiologic changes in ageing increase the risk of developing peripheral neuropathy in elderly adults. Peripheral neuropathy may be classified in five clinical patterns. The onset, progression, type of nervous fiber damaged and clinical presentation help clinicians in the differential diagnosis workup. The most common causes of peripheral neuropathy in elderly adults are diabetes, nutritional deficiencies (either due to impairments of absorption or to urinary micronutrient loss), especially the related to vitamin B12 deficiency, neurotoxic medications or toxins. There are also cases of immune mediated peripheral neuropathy. Treatment includes prevention of neurologic damage, management of treatable causes and secondary prevention of related complications. CONCLUSIONS: Beyond symptomatic pain, peripheral neuropathy includes a broad spectrum of signs and symptoms, such as falls and fear of falling, gait and equilibrium disturbances, all of which affect functional capacity. Management depends largely on an accurate causal diagnosis. Prevention of neurological damage, and prompt treatment are clue to therapeutic success. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
ISSN:	01864866
DOI:	10.24245/mim.v41i7.10416