ABSTRACT
Peripheral neuropathy is one of the most common neurological disorders and refers to a disease involving the peripheral nerves, including motor, sensory, and autonomic nerves, with predominant clinical manifestations of weakness, loss of sensation, and muscle wasting. The frequency of peripheral neuropathy is not known, but it is a common feature of many systemic diseases. Diabetes is the most common cause of peripheral neuropathy in adults living in developed countries. Considering that 1.3% of the general population of the United States has diabetes mellitus and that roughly 25% of diabetic patients have peripheral neuropathy, peripheral neuropathy is considered a common disease. In fact, 1 out of 300 individuals has peripheral neuropathy associated with diabetes. This figure excludes other causes of peripheral neuropathy.
