Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42525371›Full record

ReviewPain and therapy2026

Uncovering Neuropathic Pain in CANVAS: Lessons from a Case-Based Literature Review.

Panayiota Neophytou, Stefania Kalampokini, Constantinos Avraam, Andreas Anagiotos, Constantinos Deltas, Christiana Ioannou, Christiana Polydorou, Georgios M Hadjigeorgiou, Panagiotis Zis

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Pain and therapy, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing 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

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
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

9 authors.

Panayiota NeophytouNeurology Department, Nicosia General Hospital, Nicosia, Cyprus.
Stefania KalampokiniNeurology Department, Nicosia General Hospital, Nicosia, Cyprus.
Constantinos AvraamNeurosurgery Department, Nicosia General Hospital, Nicosia, Cyprus.
Andreas AnagiotosDepartment of Otolaryngology, Nicosia General Hospital, Nicosia, Cyprus.
Constantinos DeltasMedical School, University of Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus.
Christiana IoannouNeurology Department, Nicosia General Hospital, Nicosia, Cyprus.
Christiana PolydorouCenter of Excellence in Biobanking and Biomedical Research, University of Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus.
Georgios M HadjigeorgiouNeurology Department, Nicosia General Hospital, Nicosia, Cyprus.
Panagiotis ZisNeurology Department, Nicosia General Hospital, Nicosia, Cyprus. zis.panagiotis@ucy.ac.cy.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-8567-3092

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

introductionCerebellar ataxia with neuronopathy and vestibular areflexia syndrome (CANVAS) is a rare, late-onset neurodegenerative disorder caused by biallelic intronic AAGGG repeat expansions in the RFC1 gene. Its phenotype is heterogeneous, ranging from isolated sensory neuronopathy to the full clinical triad. Although neuronopathy is present in the majority-if not all-of the cases, the prevalence and clinical significance of neuropathic pain remain insufficiently characterized.

methodsWe report a genetically confirmed case of CANVAS in a 58-year-old woman presenting predominantly with asymmetrical neuropathic pain. Clinical, neurophysiological, vestibular, and genetic assessments were performed, with longitudinal follow-up over 3 years. Additionally, a case-driven systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. A search was conducted in May 2026 in two databases (MEDLINE and Scopus) that identified cohorts of CANVAS cases with data on pain. Fourteen studies met our inclusion criteria. Pooled prevalence of neuropathic pain was calculated using a random-effects model.

resultsThe systematic review included 445 patients with CANVAS. The pooled prevalence of neuropathic pain was 43.2% (95% confidence intervals 34.0-52.9%) with moderate heterogeneity across these studies (I

conclusionsNeuropathic pain is a frequent and potentially early manifestation of CANVAS, likely reflecting underlying sensory neuronopathy. CANVAS should be considered in patients with idiopathic sensory neuronopathy, even when pain is present. Early recognition and targeted genetic testing are essential to improve diagnosis and optimize patient management in this underdiagnosed condition.

Indexed as

CANVASNeuropathic painRFC1Sensory neuronopathy

Identifiers

PMID42525371
PMCPMC13624226

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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.