Peripheral neuropathy affects 1% of people, 10% of those over 60: doctors at Guntur CME

Newer nerve disorders called nodopathies and paranodopathies can cause gait unsteadiness, tremors and rapid weakness of all four limbs, while imaging can help visualise affected nerves, Satish Khadilkar of Bombay Hospital, Mumbai, said at the launch of the Lalitha Continuing Medical Education (CME) series in Guntur on Sunday (September 6, 2026).

The Lalitha CME Series on ‘Advances in Peripheral Neuropathy’ was organised by Lalitha PVS Institute of Medical Sciences, attracting about 200 doctors, neurologists and faculty from Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.

Mr. Khadilkar discussed immune-mediated neuropathies and spoke of MR Neurography and nerve ultrasound for diagnosis.

P. Vijaya, Managing Director and HOD, Neurosciences, said peripheral neuropathy affects about 1% of the population and nearly 10% of adults above 60, while diabetes is associated with about half of cases. She stressed early recognition, proper evaluation and timely treatment.

R. Muralidhar Reddy of Hyderabad said diabetic neuropathy prevention requires good glycaemic control, management of cholesterol, obesity and hypertension, and regular exercise. He spoke of spinal cord stimulation as an evidence-based neuromodulation option.

Y. Shirisha, NIMS, stressed a systematic approach because neuropathies have diverse causes. Madhu Nagappa, NIMHANS, discussed infectious neuropathies linked to COVID-19, Zika and enterovirus.

Chairman P.V. Raghava Sarma inaugurated the programme, hosted by Naren Polavarapu.