Neurology
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Skin biopsy is an important procedure for the diagnosis of peripheral neuropathy. The main indicators of unmyelinated nerve involvement are decreased density and abnormal morphology of epidermal nerve fibers (ENFs). The suction skin blister is an alternative, less invasive method to visualize and quantify ENFs. The blister roof provides an integrated bird's eye view of all ENFs within one tissue specimen. ⋯ The suction skin blister method has potential as a diagnostic tool to investigate small fiber neuropathies. It is a minimally invasive and reliable technique, comparable to skin biopsy for determining epidermal nerve fiber density.
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Obesity and restless legs syndrome (RLS) are both associated with hypofunction of dopamine in the CNS. We therefore examined whether individuals who are obese have an increased risk of RLS in two ongoing US cohorts, the Nurses' Health Study II and the Health Professional Follow-up Study. ⋯ Both overall and abdominal adiposity are associated with increased likelihoods of having restless legs syndrome (RLS). Further prospective studies are warranted to clarify causative association between obesity and risk of developing RLS.