Differential impact of keratinocytes and fibroblasts on nociceptor degeneration and sensitization in small fiber neuropathy.

Peripheral denervation and pain are hallmarks of small fiber neuropathy (SFN). We investigated the contribution of skin cells on nociceptor degeneration and sensitization. We recruited 56 patients with SFN and 31 healthy controls and collected skin punch biopsies for immunohistochemical and immunocytochemical analysis of netrin-1 (NTN1) and proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokine expression patterns.

Reduced association between dendritic cells and corneal sub-basal nerve fibers in patients with fibromyalgia syndrome.

In our study, we aimed at investigating corneal langerhans cells (LC) in patients with fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) and small fiber neuropathy (SFN) as potential contributors to corneal small fiber pathology. We enrolled women with FMS (n = 134) and SFN (n = 41) who underwent neurological examination, neurophysiology, prostaglandin analysis in tear fluid, and corneal confocal microscopy (CCM). Data were compared with those of 60 age-matched female controls.

Reduction of skin innervation is associated with a severe fibromyalgia phenotype.

Objective: To assess patterns and impact of small nerve fiber dysfunction and pathology in patients with fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS).

Methods: One hundred seventeen women with FMS underwent neurological examination, questionnaire assessment, neurophysiology assessment, and small fiber tests: skin punch biopsy, corneal confocal microscopy, microneurography, quantitative sensory testing including C-tactile afferents, and pain-related evoked potentials. Data were compared with those of women with major depressive disorder and chronic widespread pain (MD-P) and healthy women.

Sensory profiles and skin innervation of patients with painful and painless neuropathies.

We assessed pain characteristics and sensory profiles of a large and extensively phenotyped cohort of patients with polyneuropathies (PNPs) and small fiber neuropathy (SFN) using quantitative sensory testing (QST). Our aim was to detect potentially discriminative QST profiles of patient subgroups determined by pain, etiology, or skin innervation. We prospectively recruited 350 patients with painful and painless PNPs and with SFN at 1 neuromuscular center.