Metabolic, Endocrine, and Other Toxic Neuropathies

Abstract

Neuropathic pain permeates a variety of disease processes and remains a consistent challenge for patient treatment at all levels. Diabetes continues to plague a distinct proportion of healthcare in the United States. Without proper preventative measures, these patients are at high risk for acquiring diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN). Similarly, rampant alcohol abuse can likely lead to chronic neuropathic sequelae. These issues increase in proportion with an aging population. There are a variety of malnutrition-based disorders, which can manifest into specific neurological issues. Specifically, vitamins B1, B12, and E and copper deficiencies can all lead to neuropathic disorders that become difficult to treat after prolonged periods of nutritional deprivation. Finally, various chemotherapeutic regimens have many known neuropathic complications. These conglomerations of disease manifestation make metabolic neuropathies a complex topic to fully categorize and understand, but certain pearls are vital in a foundational understanding of this topic.