--refers to a common pattern of onset of neuropathic symptoms in which the nerves at the farthest extremities of the body experience compromise first--these are farthest from the seat of circulation/respiration, and it takes more energy to transport nutrients/oxygen to them and remove wastes from them, so if there is some sort of difficulty in overall bodily circulation, as happens in diabetes and other ischemic conditions such as the anti-nuclear antibody autoimmunities, these nerves tend to be affected first, and if the conditon is unchecked, in time nerves closer to the body center begin to be affected, so the nerves seem to be "die-ing back".

Many people first report their neuropathies present in a "stocking-glove" distribution--first the toes are affected, then the feet, then the fingertips, then the calves, then the hands. This is a result of gradual die-back due to circulatory compromise.