PMID: 9550825Apr 29, 1998Paper

Referral of patients with polyneuropathy by the family physician: influence of type of symptoms but not of age

Nederlands tijdschrift voor geneeskunde
G W van DijkJ H Wokke

Abstract

To investigate the influence of the age of the patient and the nature of a polyneuropathy on the referral behaviour of general practitioners (GPs). Written questionnaire sent to GPs regarding paper case records of polyneuropathy. University Hospital Utrecht, the Netherlands. 1590 GPs were asked about their differential diagnosis regarding a paper case record of a patient with polyneuropathy. There were six case records, differing in age (53, 64 and 73 years) and nature of the disease (sensory or sensorimotor polyneuropathy). The GPs were divided into six groups with similar demographic characteristics and type of practice. To avoid focus on polyneuropathy, all GPs also received questions about three other neurological cases (amaurosis fugax, radicular syndrome and vasovagal collapse). The mean response of the questionnaire was 54% (n = 844). Most GPs diagnosed the polyneuropathy (analysis of variance; p < 0.0001). The age of the patient did not influence the diagnosis nor the referral behaviour. At least 73% of the patients with a sensory and 81% of the patients with a sensorimotor polyneuropathy were referred to neurologists for further investigations (chi(2)-test; p < 0.05). At least 73% of the GPs referred a patient with pol...Continue Reading

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.