Table 4.
Additional clinical characteristics of the pilot
| Characteristic | Baseline performance | Pilot performance |
|---|---|---|
| Diagnostic tests | – | – |
| All 3 high-yield PN testsa | 80% | 100% |
| Nerve conduction study | 76% | 76% |
| Lumbosacral MRI | 32% | 32% |
| PN medication, current | – | – |
| Gabapentinoids | 64% | 76% |
| SNRIs | 16% | 20% |
| Opiates | 32% | 12% |
| TCAs | 4% | 8% |
| Carbamazepine | 0% | 4% |
| Topicals | 16% | 48% |
| Falls in last year | 48% | 64% |
| With physical therapy | 28% | 64% |
| Without physical therapy | 20% | 0% |
| Physical therapy in last year | 44% | 72% |
| PN Etiology (not mutually exclusive) | – | – |
| Diabetes/pre-diabetes | 40% | 44% |
| Medication-related | 20% | 20% |
| Idiopathic | 20% | 16% |
| Alcohol-related | 12% | 12% |
| Environmental | 12% | 12% |
| Gammopathy | 4% | 8% |
| Inflammatory | 8% | 8% |
| Viral | 8% | 8% |
| Hereditary | 4% | 4% |
| Vitamin deficiency | 0% | 0 |
| Durable medical equipment | – | – |
| Cane | 28% | 32% |
| Walker | 12% | 20% |
| Scooter | 4% | 8% |
The table highlights the main clinical care features of the tele-PN cohort at the time of their first visit and at the conclusion of the tele-PN pilot evaluation. The table notes changes in utilization of diagnostic tests, PN medication, and physical therapy. The table also notes changes in falls, durable medical equipment needs, and etiologic diagnosis for PN
PN polyneuropathy, SNRIs serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, TCAs tricyclic antidepressants
aHigh-yield lab testing was evaluated after the first visit, rather than at the end of the pilot evaluation period