Vitamins in neuropathy: pathophysiological and therapeutic roles.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Vitamin deficiency is a risk factor in the development of peripheral neuropathy, which leads to complex and severe diseases. This review provides an update overview of the literature on the roles of vitamins in peripheral neuropathy, highlighting their pathophysiological and therapeutic roles.

RECENT FINDINGS: The importance and clinical manifestations and implications of the vitamins and vitamin deficiencies are further demonstrated in peripheral neuropathy and the associated diseases. Vitamin deficiency is common in various severe and complex diseases such as diabetes, chemotherapy, acute nutritional axonal neuropathy, dermatitis, complex regional pain syndrome, postherpetic neuralgia, carpal tunnel syndrome, and so forth and some rare clinical case reports. There is evidence that deficiencies of almost all vitamins are associated with diabetic neuropathy. Vitamin supplementation may serve as an effective therapeutic strategy.

SUMMARY: The vitamins play critical roles in maintaining physiological functions, and vitamin deficiencies cause peripheral neuropathy with various severe and complex diseases. The therapeutic benefits of vitamins and further understanding of the mechanisms for vitamin treatment effects should be emphasized and highlighted. More clinical trials are needed to establish optimal treatment strategies for vitamins in the various neuropathies. A large range of people/patients screening for vitamin deficiencies may be considered in order to provide early diagnosis and timely medical assistance.