Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40729458›Full record

ArticleEuropean journal of neurology2025

Small Fiber Morphology and Function in Inclusion Body Myositis-A Multimodal Assessment Including Confocal Corneal Microscopy.

Dietrich Sturm, Anne-Katrin Güttsches, Matthias Vorgerd, Peter Schwenkreis, Andrea Westermann, Tineke Greiner, Jan Vollert, Lynn Eitner, Christoph Maier, Johannes Forsting and 1 more

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in European journal of neurology, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 4 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
4citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

4 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Review
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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

11 authors.

Dietrich SturmDepartment of Neurology, Agaplesion Bethesda Krankenhaus, Wuppertal, Germany.
Anne-Katrin GüttschesDepartment of Neurology, BG-University Hospital Bergmannsheil, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany.
Matthias VorgerdDepartment of Neurology, BG-University Hospital Bergmannsheil, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany.
Peter SchwenkreisDepartment of Neurology, BG-University Hospital Bergmannsheil, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany.
Andrea WestermannDepartment of Pain Management, BG University Hospital Bergmannsheil, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany.
Tineke GreinerDepartment of Neurology, BG-University Hospital Bergmannsheil, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany.
Jan VollertDepartment of Clinical and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK.
Lynn EitnerUniversity Hospital of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, St. Josef-Hospital, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany.
Christoph MaierUniversity Hospital of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, St. Josef-Hospital, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany.
Johannes ForstingDepartment of Neurology, BG-University Hospital Bergmannsheil, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany.
Elena Enax-KrumovaDepartment of Neurology, BG-University Hospital Bergmannsheil, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany.ORCID 0000-0002-6162-9414

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

introductionThe extent of peripheral nerve involvement in inclusion body myositis (IBM) remains a topic of ongoing scientific discussion. In this study, we aimed to explore the involvement of small nerve fibers in IBM using a range of diagnostic methods, including, for the first time, corneal confocal microscopy (CCM).

methodsNineteen clinic-pathologically or clinically defined IBM patients underwent comprehensive clinical and electrophysiological examinations. A multimodal small fiber examination was performed, including a skin biopsy of the thigh and lower leg, quantitative sensory testing of the feet, and CCM. Pain levels and quality of life were also assessed using standardized questionnaires (Small Fiber Neuropathy Screening List, PainDETECT, Brief Pain Inventory, Short Form-36).

resultsThe motor and sensory neurography identified large fiber neuropathy in 67% of cases. Regarding small fibers evaluation, skin biopsy revealed pathological findings in 72% of cases and CCM in 32% of cases. Quantitative sensory testing results predominantly indicated large fiber damage (61%), with small fiber pathology identified in only 12% of cases. Questionnaire responses suggested a slight pain-related impact on patients' quality of life. DISCUSSION: Small nerve fiber pathology is a frequent finding in skin biopsies of IBM patients. However, noninvasive methods like CCM appear less sensitive than skin biopsy for diagnosing small fiber pathology in IBM patients. Further studies are needed to refine diagnostic approaches and better understand the role of small fiber involvement in IBM.

Indexed as

CorneaMyositis, Inclusion BodyNerve FibersAgedAged, 80 and overFemaleHumansMaleMicroscopy, ConfocalMiddle AgedQuality of LifeSkincorneal confocal microscopyinclusion body myositisquantitative sensory testingskin biopsysmall fiber neuropathy

Identifiers

PMID40729458
PMCPMC12306681

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.