Chronic Idiopathic Axonal Polyneuropathy and Successful Aging of the Peripheral Nervous System in Elderly People

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Abstract
AFTER extensive investigations, no cause can be identified in 10% to 20% of the patients who have polyneuropathy.1-5 In most of these patients the polyneuropathy presents insidiously in the sixth decade of life with predominantly sensory or sensorimotor symptoms and a slowly progressive course. Electrophysiologic studies invariably show axonal polyneuropathy. For this clinical entity the term "chronic idiopathic axonal polyneuropathy" (CIAP) has been introduced.6 Others have used "cryptogenic (sensory) polyneuropathy."3,5 Severe disability or ambulatory impairment has not been observed 5 to 10 years after disease onset.2,3,5,6