Quantitative sensory testing predicts histological small fiber neuropathy in postural tachycardia syndrome. Issue 5 (October 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Billig, Sophia C.I.; Schauermann, Joana C.; Rolke, Roman; Katona, Istvan; Schulz, Jörg B.; Maier, Andrea
• Is Part Of: Neurology. Volume 10:Issue 5(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-10
• Subjects: Nervous system -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Neurology -- Periodicals; Neurology -- United States -- Periodicals; 616.8
• DOI: 10.1212/CPJ.0000000000000770
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2163-0402

Abstract

Abstract : Background: Retrospective investigation of the somatosensory profile and prediction of histologic small fiber neuropathy (SFN) in postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) was performed using quantitative sensory testing (QST) as a standardized noninvasive test. Methods: In this investigation, full data sets from 30 patients (age: 34.03 ± 10.82 years, n = 6 males), including results of autonomic function testing, norepinephrine values, skin biopsy, and QST, were retrospectively analyzed. The QST data were compared with healthy controls (HCs) (age: 34.20 ± 10.5 years, n = 6 males, t test: 0.95). Results: The evaluation of all QST parameters in POTS compared with HCs yielded differences in all thermal parameters (cold detection threshold: p < 0.05, warm detection threshold: p < 0.001, thermal sensory limen: p < 0.001, cold pain threshold: p < 0.05, and heat pain threshold: p < 0.001) and in paradoxical heat sensations ( p < 0.05). Differences in nonpainful stimuli (mechanical detection threshold: p < 0.05 and vibration detection threshold: p < 0.001) were also detected. All patients who had clinical signs of SFN in combination with impairment of small fibers in QST also had SFN on skin biopsy. Conclusion: These results suggest that a non–region-specific SFN in POTS compared with controls can be detected by noninvasive QST that predicts histologic small fiber pathology.