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. 2014 Mar;49(3):329-36.
doi: 10.1002/mus.23910. Epub 2013 Jun 28.

Small fibers, large impact: quality of life in small-fiber neuropathy

Mayienne Bakkers  1 , Catharina G Faber, Janneke G J Hoeijmakers, Giuseppe Lauria, Ingemar S J Merkies
Affiliations

Small fibers, large impact: quality of life in small-fiber neuropathy

Mayienne Bakkers et al. Muscle Nerve. 2014 Mar.

Abstract

Introduction: The impact of small-fiber neuropathy (SFN) on patients' quality of life (QOL) has not been studied extensively. Our aim was to determine the impact of SFN on QOL and examine possible determinants.

Methods: We examined a total of 265 patients diagnosed with SFN. The SFN Symptoms Inventory Questionnaire (SFN-SIQ), the pain Visual Analog Scale (VAS), and the generic SF-36 Health Survey were assessed. Regression studies were undertaken to evaluate determinants of functioning.

Results: SFN patients demonstrated a severe overall reduction in QOL. The biggest deficits were in Role Functioning-Physical, Body Pain, and Physical Component Summary (PCS) scores. VAS scores, changed sweating pattern, dry mouth, and age were the strongest predictors for PCS, explaining 32% of the QOL decrease.

Conclusions: SFN leads to a reduction in overall QOL. The presence of pain and some autonomic symptoms explained only a small portion of the findings.

Keywords: clinimetric evaluation; pain; polyneuropathy; quality of life; small-fiber neuropathy.

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