Peripheral neuropathy in the elderly

Peripheral neurologic deficits are commonly found during physical examination of older patients. Losses of vibratory sensation in the lower extremities and ankle reflexes are so common that they are often listed in geriatric textbooks as normal physical findings in very old people. In this population, the detection of peripheral neuropathy, which may lead to a serious disability, is an important contribution to the health care but there is very little information in the literature about its actual prevalence and etiology. The epidemiological, clinical, morphological, electrophysiological data on the peripheral nervous system abnormalities in elderly are reviewed. A strategy of investigations is proposed to improve the identification of the etiology of their peripheral neuropathy.