Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40913368›Full record

ArticleEuropean journal of neurology2025

Structured Symptom Assessment to Identify Patients With Small Fiber or Autonomic Neuropathy in Fibromyalgia.

Charlotte N Bay-Smidt, Karin D Bruun, Laura M Gaist, Anne B Krøigård, Søren H Sindrup, Thomas Krøigård

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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 2 papers.

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0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

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2 · The registry

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3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Charlotte N Bay-SmidtDepartment of Neurology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark.
Karin D BruunPain Research Centre, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark.
Laura M GaistDepartment of Neurology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark.
Anne B KrøigårdPathology Research Unit, Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark.
Søren H SindrupDepartment of Neurology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark.
Thomas KrøigårdDepartment of Neurology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark.ORCID 0000-0002-1565-6948

Funding

Gigtforeningen R221-A8145Gundhild Andersen fundLundbeck Foundation R377-2021-304
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundFibromyalgia (FM) is a complex chronic pain disorder characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain and symptoms suggesting autonomic dysfunction. Small fiber neuropathy (SFN) has been described in a subgroup of patients. We aimed to explore the value of structured symptom assessment to identify patients with SFN or autonomic neuropathy.

methodsForty-six female FM patients were assessed in a cross-sectional study including clinical examinations, validated questionnaires (modified neuropathic pain symptom inventory (m-NPSI), PainDETECT and the composite autonomic symptom score (COMPASS 31)) and diagnostic tests (intraepidermal nerve fiber density (IENFD), quantitative sensory testing (QST) and quantitative sudomotor axon reflex test (QSART)). m-NPSI > 58, PainDETECT > 18, and COMPASS 31 > 16 were defined as suggestive of neuropathic pain and dysautonomia, respectively. SFN was defined as negative findings (hypoalgesia and reduced thermal sensation) and an abnormal diagnostic test (IENFD, thermal detection thresholds or QSART). Cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy (CAN) was defined as two abnormal cardiovascular reflex tests. Symptom scores were compared with patient controls and patients with an established diagnosis of neuropathy.

resultsAmong FM patients, one had SFN, while two had definite CAN. Thirty-two, 20, and 43 of the FM patients had NPSI, PainDETECT, and COMPASS 31 scores suggesting neuropathy/dysautonomia. NPSI was higher in FM than in neuropathy patients. Increased mechanical pain sensitivity (15/46) and paradoxical heat sensation (23/46) were frequent QST findings in the FM group.

conclusionSFN or autonomic neuropathy was infrequent in FM patients and not related to symptom scores, which were higher than those for patients with neuropathy.

Indexed as

Autonomic Nervous System DiseasesFibromyalgiaSmall Fiber NeuropathySymptom AssessmentAdultCross-Sectional StudiesFemaleHumansMiddle AgedNeuralgiaPain Measurementautonomic neuropathyfibromyalgiasmall fiber neuropathy

Identifiers

PMID40913368
PMCPMC12413533

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