Arthritis care & research
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Arthritis care & research · Jul 2019
Biopsy-Proven Small-Fiber Neuropathy in Primary Sjögren's Syndrome: Neuropathic Pain Characteristics, Autoantibody Findings, and Histopathologic Features.
Painful small-fiber neuropathies (SFNs) in primary Sjögren's syndrome (SS) may present as pure or mixed with concurrent large-fiber involvement. SFN can be diagnosed by punch skin biopsy results that identify decreased intra-epidermal nerve-fiber density (IENFD) of unmyelinated nerves. ⋯ SS SFN had an increased frequency among male patients, a decreased frequency of multiple antibodies, frequent treatment with opioid analgesics, and the presence of nonstocking-and-glove pain. Distinguishing between DRG versus axonal injury is significant, especially given that mechanisms targeting the DRG may result in irreversible neuronal cell death. Altogether, these findings highlight clinical, autoantibody, and pathologic features that can help to define mechanisms and treatment strategies.