Assessing sudomotor impairment in patients with peripheral neuropathy: comparison between electrochemical skin conductance and skin biopsy
M Duchesne, L Richard, JM Vallat, L Magy - Clinical Neurophysiology, 2018 - Elsevier
M Duchesne, L Richard, JM Vallat, L Magy
Clinical Neurophysiology, 2018•ElsevierObjective Sudoscan provides a rapid assessment of sudomotor function based on the
measurement of electrochemical skin conductance (ESC), which is thought to be
proportional to small nerve fibres innervating the sweat glands. However, the relationship
between ESC and small nerve fibre density on skin biopsy remains unclear. Methods In a
retrospective single-centre study, we compared ESC measurements with autonomic sweat
gland nerve fibre density (SGNFD) and somatic intraepidermal nerve fibre density (IENFD) …
measurement of electrochemical skin conductance (ESC), which is thought to be
proportional to small nerve fibres innervating the sweat glands. However, the relationship
between ESC and small nerve fibre density on skin biopsy remains unclear. Methods In a
retrospective single-centre study, we compared ESC measurements with autonomic sweat
gland nerve fibre density (SGNFD) and somatic intraepidermal nerve fibre density (IENFD) …
Objective
Sudoscan provides a rapid assessment of sudomotor function based on the measurement of electrochemical skin conductance (ESC), which is thought to be proportional to small nerve fibres innervating the sweat glands. However, the relationship between ESC and small nerve fibre density on skin biopsy remains unclear.
Methods
In a retrospective single-centre study, we compared ESC measurements with autonomic sweat gland nerve fibre density (SGNFD) and somatic intraepidermal nerve fibre density (IENFD) in patients with polyneuropathy.
Results
63 patients were included (mean age: 60.6 ± 13.3 years). ESC was more strongly correlated with SGNFD (r = 0.49; p = 0.0005) than with IENFD (r = 0.42; p = 0.0005). Foot ESC was lower in patients with abnormal SGNFD (1.0 ± 0.3 µS/kg versus 0.7 ± 0.4 µS/kg; p = 0.0419) or abnormal IENFD (1.1 ± 0.3 µS/kg versus 0.8 ± 0.3 µS/kg; p = 0.0425).
Conclusion
ESC measurement is a novel method of potential value for assessing sudomotor function. More studies are required to define its place beside ancient well-established techniques.
Significance
The weak correlation of ESC with skin biopsy results suggests that mechanisms other than the loss of innervating fibres may be responsible for sweat gland dysfunction in polyneuropathies.
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