Acute non-alcoholic nutritional neuropathies in high-income countries - a systematic review

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#humans #developed-countries #risk-factors #malnutrition #female

Acute non-alcoholic nutritional neuropathies in high-income countries - a systematic review

Hansen et al., 2025 | Dan Med J | Systematic Review

Citation

Hansen Karen Irgens Tanderup, Grønlund Elisabeth Waldemar, Kondziella Daniel. Acute non-alcoholic nutritional neuropathies in high-income countries - a systematic review. Dan Med J. 2025-Oct-21;72(11). doi:10.61409/A05250359

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: We determined the semiology, causes, risk factors and outcomes of patients with acute nutritional neuropathies requiring hospitalisation in high-income countries. METHODS: We searched PubMed, Cochrane Library and Embase for non-alcoholic malnutrition neuropathy cases published since 1990. RESULTS: Thirty-six studies were identified, including 83 patients (mean age 39.8 years; 70% women) with deficient levels of thiamine (54%), pyridoxine (16%), copper (11%) or folate (7%). Common clinical signs were lower extremity weakness (100%), hypesthesia (63%), hypo-/areflexia (54%) and cranial nerve deficits (27%). Thirty-two (39%) patients also had Wernicke's encephalopathy. The mean time from symptom onset to hospitalisation was 4.2 weeks (range: 1-12). Ten (12.1%) patients required intensive care. Risk factors were weight loss (60%), vomiting (51%) and diarrhoea (11%). Aetiologies included bariatric surgery (n = 60, 72%), psychiatric disorders (n = 15, 18%) and hyperemesis gravidarum (n = 4, 5%). Electrophysiology showed axonal polyneuropathy in 60 (72.3%) patients, typically with sensorimotor involvement (n = 42). Besides nutritional supplements, 19 (23%) patients also received IVIG, plasmapheresis or steroids. Forty-nine patients had a one-year follow-up, with a good outcome (modified Rankin Scale Score ≤ 2) in 25 (51%). CONCLUSIONS: Nutritional neuropathies may mimic axonal Guillain-Barré syndrome. Early recognition is crucial to avoid lasting deficits and unnecessary therapy like IVIG or plasmapheresis.

Key Findings

Thirty-six studies were identified, including 83 patients (mean age 39.8 years; 70% women) with deficient levels of thiamine (54%), pyridoxine (16%), copper (11%) or folate (7%). Common clinical signs were lower extremity weakness (100%), hypesthesia (63%), hypo-/areflexia (54%) and cranial nerve deficits (27%). Thirty-two (39%) patients also had Wernicke's encephalopathy. The mean time from symptom onset to hospitalisation was 4.2 weeks (range: 1-12). Ten (12.1%) patients required intensive car

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population acute nutritional neuropathies requiring
Sample Size 60
Age Range mean age 39.8
Condition See abstract

MeSH Terms

  • Humans
  • Developed Countries
  • Risk Factors
  • Malnutrition
  • Female
  • Adult
  • Peripheral Nervous System Diseases
  • Polyneuropathies
  • Hospitalization
  • Male
  • Wernicke Encephalopathy

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Systematic Review
  • Publication Types: Journal Article, Systematic Review
  • Vertical: vitamin-b6

Provenance

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09