Primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS) is a chronic, immune-mediated inflammatory disease mainly characterized by exocrine gland involvement. Beyond the wide heterogeneity in clinical presentation, neurological manifestation is one of the important systemic involvement of pSS. The prevalence of neurological involvement varies widely from 10% to 60% in different series. Small fiber neuropathy (SFN) as a popular clinical entity in recent years targets nociceptive thinly myelinated A-delta and unmyelinated C-fiber nerves and is frequently associated with burning and allodynic pain. Previous studies have demonstrated that SFN is frequently seen in patients with pSS and has an important clinical importance because it cannot be detected by routine electrophysiological studies. Various methods can be used in the detection of SFN, and cutaneous silent period (CSP) measurement is gaining popularity recently due to its non-invasiveness and practical fashion. In this study, the investigators aimed to compare CSP parameters as an indicator of SFN in patients with pSS and in the healthy population and to reveal its relationship with clinical parameters.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
72
CSP recordings are performed in the upper extremities using the same surface bar recording electrodes. Filters are set at 2 Hertz (Hz) to 10 kilo Hz, sensitivity is 200 microVolts (µV) and sweep speed is set at 200 milliseconds (ms). Stimulating electrode is placed on the index finger and recording bar electrode is placed on the abductor pollicis brevis (APB) muscle. During steady submaximal (50% of the maximal contraction) thumb abduction, 10 consecutive painful electrical stimuli of standard 80-milli Ampere (mA) intensity and 0.5-ms duration are applied to the index finger and responses are superimposed. CSP latency and duration are calculated and recorded. CSP latency is defined as the time between the stimulation and the onset of the silent period. CSP duration is calculated as the time interval between the beginning and end of the CSP.
Marmara University Pendik Education and Research Hospital
Istanbul, Pendik, Turkey (Türkiye)
Comparing the prevalence of the small fiber neuropathy in both groups
Cutaneous silent period measurements are done for detecting small fiber neuropathy in both groups. The latency and duration of CSP are recorded.
Time frame: At baseline
Correlation between the number of the patients with small fiber neuropathy and score of the clinical disease severity
For assessing clinical disease severity, EULAR Sjögren's Syndrome Patient Reported Index (ESSPRI) is used. The correlation between ESSPRI scores and CSP parameters is investigated. This assessment is done for only pSS group.
Time frame: At baseline
Correlation between the number of the patients with small fiber neuropathy and scores of quality of life assessment.
For assessing quality of life, Short Form-36 (SF-36) is used. The correlation between SF-36 scores and CSP parameters is investigated. This assessment is done for only pSS group.
Time frame: At baseline
Correlation between the number of the patients with small fiber neuropathy and scores of mood assessments.
For assessing mood, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) is used. The correlation between HADS scores and CSP parameters is investigated. This assessment is done for only pSS group.
Time frame: At baseline
Correlation between the number of the patients with small fiber neuropathy and number of patients with neuropathic pain
For assessing neuropathic pain, Leeds Assessment of Neuropathic Symptoms and Signs (LANSS) is used. CSP parameters are compared between the patients with neuropathic pain according to the LANSS and the patients without neuropathic pain. This assessment is done for only pSS group.
Time frame: At baseline
Correlation between the number of the patients with small fiber neuropathy and number of patients with central sensitization
For assessing central sensitization, Central Sensitization Inventory (CSI) is used. CSP parameters are compared between the patients with central sensitization according to the CSI and the patients without central sensitization. This assessment is done for only pSS group.
Time frame: At baseline
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