Utility of electrodiagnostic studies in patients referred with a diagnosis of polyneuropathy

Background Peripheral polyneuropathies (PN) are common neuromuscular conditions. The role of electrodiagnostic study (EDX) in diagnosis of PN is not well‐defined. Methods We performed a retrospective chart review of patients referred for EDX evaluation of PN. Results Of 162 patients analyzed, 23 had pure peripheral neuropathy (pPN; 14.2%), 29 had peripheral neuropathy and another diagnosis (PN+; 17.9%), 51 had an alternative diagnosis (nonPN; 31.5%), and 59 had normal studies (36.4%). In univariable analysis, age ( P  < .001) and gender ( P = .004) were weakly associated with final diagnosis. In multinomial logistic regression analysis, significant predictors included age (odds ratio [OR] for nonPN/PN+:1.07 per year; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.03–1.11), gender (OR for PN+:0.2, 95% CI, 0.07–0.61), and diabetes/prediabetes (OR for pPN:3.29; 95% CI, 1.17–9.27). Conclusions These data suggest that EDX commonly yields additional or nonPNs in patients referred with a diagnosis of PN, and although some variables predict electrodiagnosis, none have a large enough effect to suggest poor utility in any subpopulation.