Peripheral neuropathy and connective tissue disease. Watch for this twosome when hunting for a diagnosis.

ABSTRACT

Coexistent peripheral neuropathy and connective tissue disease is fairly common, possibly because immune-mediated factors are often present in both disorders. Awareness of the association between the two conditions can be important during diagnostic evaluation, because neuropathy is sometimes the presenting feature of previously unrecognized connective tissue disease. In this article, the authors examine clinical findings in vasculitic, nonvasculitic, and treatment-related neuropathy, concentrating on the essentials of diagnosis and treatment.