Neuropathy Neuropathy Causes and Risk Factors 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which chemotherapy drug class is most commonly associated with chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN)?
- Antimetabolites
- Taxanes and platinum compounds (Correct answer)
- Alkylating agents
- Anthracyclines
Correct answer: Taxanes and platinum compounds
Taxanes (e.g., paclitaxel) and platinum compounds (e.g., oxaliplatin) are the most neurotoxic chemotherapy classes.
Question 2: Hypothyroidism can cause neuropathy through which primary mechanism?
- Autoantibody production against myelin
- Deposition of mucopolysaccharides compressing nerves (Correct answer)
- Hypoglycemia-induced axonal injury
- Inflammatory cytokine release
Correct answer: Deposition of mucopolysaccharides compressing nerves
Hypothyroidism causes mucopolysaccharide deposits in tissues that compress peripheral nerves, especially causing carpal tunnel syndrome.
Question 3: Which autoimmune condition commonly causes a painful sensory neuropathy due to dorsal root ganglion inflammation?
- Sjögren's syndrome (Correct answer)
- Psoriasis
- Type 1 diabetes
- Celiac disease
Correct answer: Sjögren's syndrome
Sjögren's syndrome can cause a ganglionopathy by attacking dorsal root ganglia, producing sensory ataxia and pain.
Question 4: Which occupational exposure is a recognized risk factor for toxic peripheral neuropathy?
- Asbestos inhalation
- Lead and heavy metal exposure (Correct answer)
- Silica dust inhalation
- Noise-induced hearing loss
Correct answer: Lead and heavy metal exposure
Lead and other heavy metals (arsenic, mercury, thallium) are well-established occupational neurotoxins causing peripheral neuropathy.
Question 5: Which connective tissue disease causes neuropathy via vasculitis affecting the vasa nervorum?
- Osteoarthritis
- Fibromyalgia
- Polyarteritis nodosa (Correct answer)
- Ankylosing spondylitis
Correct answer: Polyarteritis nodosa
Polyarteritis nodosa causes vasculitis of the small vessels supplying nerves, leading to ischemic neuropathy.
Question 6: Which genetic mutation pattern is characteristic of hereditary transthyretin amyloid neuropathy (hATTR)?
- X-linked recessive
- Mitochondrial inheritance
- Autosomal dominant (Correct answer)
- Autosomal recessive only
Correct answer: Autosomal dominant
Hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis is an autosomal dominant condition caused by mutations in the TTR gene.
Neuropathy Neuropathy Causes and Risk Factors 2
Which chemotherapy drug class is most commonly associated with chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN)?