Emilie Brenaut1, Pascale Marcorelles2, Steeve Genestet3, Dominique Ménard4, Laurent Misery5. 1. Department of Dermatology, University Hospital, Brest, France; Laboratory of Neurosciences of Brest, University of Western Brittany, Brest, France. Electronic address: emilie.brenaut@chu-brest.fr. 2. Department of Pathology, University Hospital, Brest, France; Laboratory of Neurosciences of Brest, University of Western Brittany, Brest, France; Breton Competence Center of Rare Neuromuscular Diseases and Neuropathies with Cutaneous-Mucosal Symptoms, Brest, France. 3. Department of Clinical Neurophysiology, University Hospital, Brest, France; Breton Competence Center of Rare Neuromuscular Diseases and Neuropathies with Cutaneous-Mucosal Symptoms, Brest, France. 4. Breton Competence Center of Rare Neuromuscular Diseases and Neuropathies with Cutaneous-Mucosal Symptoms, Brest, France; Department of Neurology, University Hospital, Rennes, France. 5. Department of Dermatology, University Hospital, Brest, France; Laboratory of Neurosciences of Brest, University of Western Brittany, Brest, France; Breton Competence Center of Rare Neuromuscular Diseases and Neuropathies with Cutaneous-Mucosal Symptoms, Brest, France.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Small-fiber neuropathies (SFN) are diseases of small nerve fibers that are characterized by autonomic and sensory symptoms. OBJECTIVE: We sought to evaluate sensory symptoms, especially pruritus, in patients with SFN. METHODS: A questionnaire was given to patients with SFN. RESULTS: In all, 41 patients responded to the questionnaire (71.9% response rate). The most frequent sensory symptoms were burning (77.5%), pain (72.5%), heat sensations (70.2%), and numbness (67.5%). Pruritus was present in 68.3% of patients. It appeared most often in the evening, and was localized to the limbs in a distal-to-proximal gradient, although the back was the most frequent location (64%). Exacerbating factors were fatigue, xerosis, sweating, hot temperature, and stress. Cold water was an alleviating factor. LIMITATIONS: Recall bias associated with filling out the questionnaire, relatively small sample size, and the uncontrolled, retrospective nature of the study were limitations. CONCLUSION: Pruritus occurs frequently in patients with SFN and could be recognized as a possible presenting symptom, especially if there are other sensory or autonomic symptoms.
BACKGROUND:Small-fiber neuropathies (SFN) are diseases of small nerve fibers that are characterized by autonomic and sensory symptoms. OBJECTIVE: We sought to evaluate sensory symptoms, especially pruritus, in patients with SFN. METHODS: A questionnaire was given to patients with SFN. RESULTS: In all, 41 patients responded to the questionnaire (71.9% response rate). The most frequent sensory symptoms were burning (77.5%), pain (72.5%), heat sensations (70.2%), and numbness (67.5%). Pruritus was present in 68.3% of patients. It appeared most often in the evening, and was localized to the limbs in a distal-to-proximal gradient, although the back was the most frequent location (64%). Exacerbating factors were fatigue, xerosis, sweating, hot temperature, and stress. Cold water was an alleviating factor. LIMITATIONS: Recall bias associated with filling out the questionnaire, relatively small sample size, and the uncontrolled, retrospective nature of the study were limitations. CONCLUSION:Pruritus occurs frequently in patients with SFN and could be recognized as a possible presenting symptom, especially if there are other sensory or autonomic symptoms.
Authors: Manuel P Pereira; Sebastian Mühl; Esther M Pogatzki-Zahn; Konstantin Agelopoulos; Sonja Ständer Journal: Dermatol Ther (Heidelb) Date: 2016-10-11
Authors: Giuseppe Lanza; Filomena Irene Ilaria Cosentino; Raffaele Ferri; Bartolo Lanuzza; Maddalena Siragusa; Mariangela Tripodi; Carmelo Schepis Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2021-06-09 Impact factor: 3.390