As in sensory neuropathy the value of aldose reductase inhibitors, which block the accumulation of sorbitol, remains uncertain.
Prompt diagnosis and treatment of the underlying cause can reduce the severity of peripheral neuropathy or decrease the recovery time.
Although frequently considered as causing minimal non-disabling symptoms, peripheral neuropathy in the elderly patient can in fact be responsible for considerable functional disability.
The side-effects of disulfiram are not commonly a problem, but may include peripheral neuropathy, confusional states and, rarely, psychosis.
Such neuropathies are relatively uncommon in developed countries, but are important to recognize, being treatable.
Table 3 summarises several published studies that have utilised plasmid- and viral-mediated gene therapy to treat peripheral neuropathies.
Cancer can cause peripheral neuropathy as a result of direct invasion or compression of the nerve or through remote (paraneoplastic) effects.
Given that numerous painful conditions, such as osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, and neuropathies, are more common with age, this finding is perhaps counterintuitive.
