Assessment of Peripheral Neuropathy Using Current Perception Threshold Measurement in Patients with Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 3.

Peripheral neuropathy (PN) identified as a significant contributor to disability in Spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3) patients. This study seeks to assess the utility of current perception threshold (CPT) measurements in evaluating PN in individuals with SCA3 and aims to identify factors influencing CPT values in SCA3 and ascertain whether these values correlate with the severity of ataxia. Ninety-four patients diagnosed with SCA3 and 44 healthy controls were recruited for this investigation. All participants were performed standard CPT assessments. Comparative analysis was conducted on CPT variables between the groups. Multivariable linear regression models were employed to identify potential risk factors influencing CPT values, and to investigate the association between CPT values and the severity of ataxia in SCA3. The case group exhibited significantly higher values across all CPT variables compared to the control group (P < 0.01). Peripheral neuropathy was prevalent among SCA3 patients, with lower limb nerves demonstrating greater susceptibility than upper limb nerves. Increasing age (β = 1.813, P = 0.012) and heightened ataxia severity (β = 3.763, P = 0.013) as predictors of poorer CPT values. Gender also emerged as a predictor of CPT values. Furthermore, CPT values (β = 0.003, P = 0.013) and disease duration (β = 0.118, P < 0.001) were associated with more severe ataxia. Our findings suggest that the CPT test holds promise for assessing peripheral neuropathy in SCA3 patients and that CPT values may serve as indicators of disease severity in this population.