This study will enroll patients with small fiber neuropathy (SFN). The study will look at an intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) called Panzyga. Panzyga is approved by the FDA as a therapy for Primary humoral immunodeficiency (PI) in patients 2 years of age and older; Chronic immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) in adults and Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) in adults. It has not been approved by the FDA for use in SFN. There is mounting evidence that Intravenous Immunoglobulin (IVIG) can cause pain reduction and improve objective nerve fiber densities on skin biopsies in great numbers in SFN patients. The primary outcome is quantified improvement in intraepidermal nerve fiber density (IENFD) on repeat skin punch biopsy after 6 months of IVIG treatment.
Small fiber neuropathy (SFN) is an increasingly prevalent diagnosis in neurology and neuromuscular centers. Modern diagnostic techniques, including skin biopsies and autonomic nervous testing are helping to find SFN in many patients with undiagnosed pain syndromes including fibromyalgia. The prevalence is rising for SFN, and an immune etiology may underlie 19%-34% of cases. While there is no standard of care treatment, current treatment strategies for SFN include long-term steroid therapy which come with a host of side effects. There is mounting evidence that Intravenous Immunoglobulin (IVIG) can cause pain reduction and improve objective nerve fiber densities on skin biopsies in great numbers in SFN patients, as well as improving validated questionnaire scores monitoring symptom burden and disability. However, neither IVIG nor any other immunosuppressant has been studied in a sufficiently powered and adequately dosed controlled, randomized clinical trial to demonstrate efficacy.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE
Enrollment
20
Immune Globulin Infusion 10% (Human)
0.9% NaCl prepared as the calculated dose equivalent volume to IVIG.
Endeavor Health
Glenview, Illinois, United States
RECRUITINGquantified change in intraepidermal nerve fiber density (IENFD)
3mm skin punch biopsy at 3 sites
Time frame: Week 24
Change in visual analogue pain scale responses
Self-reported pain intensity on a scale of 0-10 using the Wong-Baker FACES Pain Rating Scale, with 0 being no pain and 10 being pain as bad as can be
Time frame: baseline and Week 28
Change in Small Fiber Neuropathy-Rasch Overall Disability Scale (SFN-RODS) score
The SFN-RODS is a 32-item scale measuring disability in daily activities. Scores range from 0 - 64, with a lower score correlating with worse disease
Time frame: baseline and Week 28
Change in Small Fiber Neuropathy-Symptom Inventory Questionnaire (SFN-SIQ) score
The SFN-SIQ is a validated 13-item scale measuring various SFN and autonomic symptoms. Scores range from 0 -39, with a higher score correlating with more severe disease.
Time frame: baseline and Week 28
Change in Utah Early Neuropathy Scale (UENS) examination scores
The UENS is a validated physical exam score from 0-42 points to look for small fiber neuropathy. It includes measures of sensation, reflexes, and strength in both lower extremities. A higher score indicates increased impairment.
Time frame: baseline and Week 28
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