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Peripheral neuropathy: a complication of systemic sclerosis.
Tracy M Frech1, Gordon Smith, Melissa Reily
1Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Utah, 4B200 SOM 30 N 1900 E, Salt Lake City, UT 84132, USA. Tracy.Frech@hsc.utah.edu
Clinical Rheumatology
|February 14, 2013
Summary
Systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients show a high prevalence of peripheral neuropathy in their feet, detected by sensory loss. This suggests a need for foot care guidelines and further research into screening and podiatric care for SSc patients.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Rheumatology
- Podiatry
Background:
- Peripheral neuropathy is a potential complication in systemic sclerosis (SSc).
- Foot care guidelines for SSc patients are currently lacking.
- Early detection of neuropathy is crucial for preventing complications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of peripheral neuropathy in SSc patients' feet.
- To assess the need for developing foot care guidelines for SSc.
- To compare neuropathy prevalence in SSc with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM).
Main Methods:
- Bedside testing using Semmes-Weinstein monofilament examination (SWME) and 128 Hz vibration sensation.
- Evaluated 20 SSc patients, 20 healthy controls (HC), and 20 DM patients.
- Assessed inter-rater reliability and compared findings between groups using statistical analyses.
Main Results:
- 12 out of 20 SSc patients had abnormal vibratory sensation, and 4 had abnormal SWME results.
- The prevalence of sensory loss to monofilament in SSc was identical to DM patients (4/20).
- Duration of Raynaud's symptoms was significantly associated with peripheral neuropathy in SSc patients.
Conclusions:
- Systemic sclerosis patients exhibit a considerable prevalence of pedal peripheral neuropathy.
- Findings support the need for further studies on routine neuropathy screening and podiatric care in SSc.
- Developing specific foot care guidelines for SSc may help reduce pedal complications.
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