Clinical and neurophysiological aspects of peripheral neuropathy in patients with myelodysplastic syndromes

Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are a heterogeneous group of clonal disorders, manifesting multiple clinical autoimmune inflammatory phenomena, including rarely peripheral neuropathy. Twenty-four patients diagnosed with MDS and 29 healthy subjects were enrolled in this prospective study in a 5-year period. Every subject was assessed by symptoms questionnaire and clinical neurological examination followed by nerve conduction studies, quantitative sensory testing and skin biopsy. Peripheral neuropathy was diagnosed in 12 subjects (50%). Our study indicated that peripheral neuropathy involving large and small nerve fibres, with a symmetrical length-dependent pattern, is not uncommon between patients with MDS.