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Epidemiology and functional impact of early peripheral neuropathy signs in older adults from a general population

Bronge, William LU ; Lindholm, Beata LU ; Elmståhl, Sölve LU and Siennicki-Lantz, Arkadiusz LU orcid (2023) In Gerontology
Abstract
Introduction: Peripheral neuropathy (PN) becomes more common with increasing life expectancy, but general population prevalence estimates are lacking. We investigated an epidemiological distribution of signs of PN among 2,996 community-dwelling participants in Good Aging in Skåne Study, age 60–97, and their impact on physical and autonomic function. Methods: Signs of PN were measured with Utah Early Neuropathy Scale (UENS). Associations between UENS and physical tests, pain, and dysautonomic phenomena were calculated for each sex, adjusted for age, with estimated marginal means (EMM) and odds ratios (ORs) in four UENS quantiles (Q1–Q4). Results: Participants in Q4 had worse EMM for: time to complete Timed Up and Go test (Q4–Q1: male... (More)
Introduction: Peripheral neuropathy (PN) becomes more common with increasing life expectancy, but general population prevalence estimates are lacking. We investigated an epidemiological distribution of signs of PN among 2,996 community-dwelling participants in Good Aging in Skåne Study, age 60–97, and their impact on physical and autonomic function. Methods: Signs of PN were measured with Utah Early Neuropathy Scale (UENS). Associations between UENS and physical tests, pain, and dysautonomic phenomena were calculated for each sex, adjusted for age, with estimated marginal means (EMM) and odds ratios (ORs) in four UENS quantiles (Q1–Q4). Results: Participants in Q4 had worse EMM for: time to complete Timed Up and Go test (Q4–Q1: male 10.8–9.6 s; female 11.7–10.2 s), 15 m Walk test (Q4–Q1: male 11.1–9.9 s; female 11.2–10.4 s), and fewer repetitions in Step test (Q4–Q1: male 15.2–17.0 steps; female 14.5–15.8 steps). Higher OR of failing one-leg balance 60 s test {male 2.5 (confidence interval [CI] 95%: 1.7–3.8); female 2.1 (1.1–3.2)}, Foam Pad Balance test (male 4.6 [CI 95%: 3.2–6.7]; female 1.8 [1.3–2.6]), and lower physical quality of life were seen in Q4 compared to Q1. Participants in Q4 had higher OR for walking aid usage, falls, fear of falling, pain, and urinary incontinence, while in males, higher OR for orthostatic intolerance, fecal incontinence, and constipation. Conclusions: In a general population, 20–25% of older adults who have highest UENS scores, a sensitive measure of early PN, express slower gait, worse balance, lower quality of life, pain, falls and fear of falling, and autonomic symptoms. (Less)
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author
; ; and
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
epub
subject
in
Gerontology
publisher
Karger
external identifiers
  • pmid:38043521
  • scopus:85185805182
ISSN
1423-0003
DOI
10.1159/000535620
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
b1f4aa95-8866-4b9d-ab28-4fd6f2ee8c97
date added to LUP
2024-02-17 18:14:59
date last changed
2024-03-26 12:15:41
@article{b1f4aa95-8866-4b9d-ab28-4fd6f2ee8c97,
  abstract     = {{Introduction: Peripheral neuropathy (PN) becomes more common with increasing life expectancy, but general population prevalence estimates are lacking. We investigated an epidemiological distribution of signs of PN among 2,996 community-dwelling participants in Good Aging in Skåne Study, age 60–97, and their impact on physical and autonomic function. Methods: Signs of PN were measured with Utah Early Neuropathy Scale (UENS). Associations between UENS and physical tests, pain, and dysautonomic phenomena were calculated for each sex, adjusted for age, with estimated marginal means (EMM) and odds ratios (ORs) in four UENS quantiles (Q1–Q4). Results: Participants in Q4 had worse EMM for: time to complete Timed Up and Go test (Q4–Q1: male 10.8–9.6 s; female 11.7–10.2 s), 15 m Walk test (Q4–Q1: male 11.1–9.9 s; female 11.2–10.4 s), and fewer repetitions in Step test (Q4–Q1: male 15.2–17.0 steps; female 14.5–15.8 steps). Higher OR of failing one-leg balance 60 s test {male 2.5 (confidence interval [CI] 95%: 1.7–3.8); female 2.1 (1.1–3.2)}, Foam Pad Balance test (male 4.6 [CI 95%: 3.2–6.7]; female 1.8 [1.3–2.6]), and lower physical quality of life were seen in Q4 compared to Q1. Participants in Q4 had higher OR for walking aid usage, falls, fear of falling, pain, and urinary incontinence, while in males, higher OR for orthostatic intolerance, fecal incontinence, and constipation. Conclusions: In a general population, 20–25% of older adults who have highest UENS scores, a sensitive measure of early PN, express slower gait, worse balance, lower quality of life, pain, falls and fear of falling, and autonomic symptoms.}},
  author       = {{Bronge, William and Lindholm, Beata and Elmståhl, Sölve and Siennicki-Lantz, Arkadiusz}},
  issn         = {{1423-0003}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  publisher    = {{Karger}},
  series       = {{Gerontology}},
  title        = {{Epidemiology and functional impact of early peripheral neuropathy signs in older adults from a general population}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1159/000535620}},
  doi          = {{10.1159/000535620}},
  year         = {{2023}},
}