OBJECTIVES: We aim to characterize a group of patients with eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA) with an initial presentation of peripheral neuropathy. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 11 patients with EGPA. RESULTS: The most common chief complaint was neuropathic limb pain and numbness (100%), followed by extremity weakness (82%). Nine (82%) patients had acute to subacute onset. All patients had a history of asthma and serum eosinophilia of more than 11%. Combining clinical and electrophysiological data, 10 (91%) patients demonstrated notable asymmetric involvement, whereas 1 patient presented with a length-dependent symmetrical axonal polyneuropathy. All patients improved significantly after immunotherapy, with average time to improvement of 9 weeks. Ten (91%) patients improved steadily and experienced no relapse, whereas 1 relapsed within the first year. CONCLUSIONS: EGPA should be suspected in patients with asymmetric axonal peripheral neuropathy associated with asthma and eosinophilia. Early diagnosis and aggressive treatment help to achieve favorable outcome.
OBJECTIVES: We aim to characterize a group of patients with eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA) with an initial presentation of peripheral neuropathy. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 11 patients with EGPA. RESULTS: The most common chief complaint was neuropathic limb pain and numbness (100%), followed by extremity weakness (82%). Nine (82%) patients had acute to subacute onset. All patients had a history of asthma and serum eosinophilia of more than 11%. Combining clinical and electrophysiological data, 10 (91%) patients demonstrated notable asymmetric involvement, whereas 1 patient presented with a length-dependent symmetrical axonal polyneuropathy. All patients improved significantly after immunotherapy, with average time to improvement of 9 weeks. Ten (91%) patients improved steadily and experienced no relapse, whereas 1 relapsed within the first year. CONCLUSIONS: EGPA should be suspected in patients with asymmetric axonal peripheral neuropathy associated with asthma and eosinophilia. Early diagnosis and aggressive treatment help to achieve favorable outcome.