Metabolic Syndrome in Small Fiber Sensory Neuropathy

Abstract

To determine the prevalence and risk of metabolic syndrome in patients with small fiber sensory neuropathy (SFSN). We searched our skin biopsy database and identified 194 subjects for this retrospective study. Of these 194 subjects, 43 had normal skin biopsies and 151 had mild, moderate, or severe length-dependent SFSN with no large fiber involvement. Fifty-four subjects had diabetic or prediabetic SFSN and 97 had idiopathic SFSN. The mean age of the neuropathy group was older (54.1 ± 11.9 years) than the normal biopsy group (44.8 ± 13.0, P < 0.001). The prevalence of metabolic syndrome was higher in the neuropathy group (27.8%) than in the normal biopsy group (2.3%, P < 0.001). Age was not different among three neuropathy subgroups. The prevalence of metabolic syndrome was higher in the severe (38.1%) than in the moderate (26.0%) and mild (14.7%) neuropathy groups (P = 0.04). Multivariate analysis revealed that age (odds ratio [OR], 1.95; P < 0.001), metabolic syndrome (OR, 3.20; P < 0.001), hypertension (OR, 1.88; P = 0.04), and obesity (OR, 1.93; P = 0.004) were independent risk factors for SFSN. The prevalence of metabolic syndrome is increased in patients with SFSN and it correlates with the severity of SFSN. Metabolic syndrome may represent an independent risk factor for SFSN.