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Sympathetic skin responses in reflex sympathetic dystrophy.
1Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Cumhuriyet University School of Medicine, 58140 Sivas, Turkey.
Rheumatology International
|December 6, 2005
Summary
Sympathetic skin response (SSR) effectively diagnoses sympathetic dysfunction in reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD). SSR also evaluates treatment effectiveness, particularly sympathetic blockade, showing significant changes post-therapy.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Background:
- Reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD) involves sympathetic nervous system dysfunction.
- Evaluating sympathetic function and treatment response in RSD is clinically important.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the utility of sympathetic skin response (SSR) in diagnosing sympathetic dysfunction in RSD.
- To evaluate the effects of sympathetic blockade on SSR in RSD patients.
Main Methods:
- Thirty patients with upper extremity RSD were randomized into two groups.
- Both groups received medical therapy and physical agents; Group II additionally received stellar ganglion blockade via diadynamic current.
- Sympathetic skin responses (SSRs) were measured before and after treatment, using the unaffected side as a control.
Main Results:
- Before treatment, SSRs differed significantly between affected and unaffected sides in both groups.
- After therapy, SSR amplitude decreased and latency increased in both groups.
- Group II demonstrated significantly greater changes in SSR amplitude (P=0.001) and latency (P=0.002) compared to Group I.
Conclusions:
- SSR is a valuable, noninvasive tool for diagnosing sympathetic dysfunction in RSD.
- SSR can effectively monitor treatment response, especially to sympathetic blockade and other modalities.