Non-length dependent small fiber neuropathy. a prospective case series

J Peripher Nerv Syst. 2010 Mar;15(1):57-62. doi: 10.1111/j.1529-8027.2010.00252.x.

Abstract

We report the features of non-length dependent small fiber neuropathy (SFN) and compare them to those with distal length-dependent SFN. In a series of 224 consecutive neuropathy patients, we evaluated 44 patients with SFN diagnosed in the presence of both symptoms and signs. Eleven were classified as non-length dependent SFN. Disease associations were Sjögren's syndrome (two patients), impaired glucose tolerance, rheumatoid arthritis, hepatitis C virus, Crohn's disease, and idiopathic (five patients). In the 33 patients with distal SFN, the age of onset was significantly older and more had impaired glucose metabolism (16/33). In both groups, pain was mainly characterized as burning, but patients with non-length dependent SFN more often reported an "itchy" quality and allodynia to light touch.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Age of Onset
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Analgesics / therapeutic use
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Glucose / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Pain / complications
  • Pain / diagnosis
  • Pain / pathology
  • Polyneuropathies / complications
  • Polyneuropathies / diagnosis*
  • Polyneuropathies / pathology*
  • Prospective Studies

Substances

  • Analgesics
  • Glucose