Abstract
BackgroundSympathetic skin response (SSR) is a technique to assess the sympathetic cholinergic pathways. Sympathetic dysfunction may participate in the development of pain, which is the major complaint in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA).ObjectivesIn this study, we aimed to assess the autonomic dysfunction in patients with (SSc) and (RA) using SSR as a simple neurophysiologic test.MethodsPalmar SSR to median nerve electrical stimulation was recorded in 21 patients with SSc, 39 patients with RA, and in 60 healthy age and sex-matched control subjects.ResultsPalmar SSR to median nerve stimulation (of SSc patients and RA patients) shows significantly delayed latency and reduced amplitude in comparison to the control group. SSR of SSc patients has significantly delayed latency and reduced amplitude when compared to RA patients. Moreover, six SSc patients have delayed SSR in spite of the absence of manifestations of polyneuropathy.ConclusionsPatients with SSc and RA have features of autonomic dysfunction with more affection of SSc patients.
Highlights
Sympathetic skin response (SSR) is a potential generated by sweat glands in response to a variety of stimulation [1]
We excluded patients receiving medications that interfere with autonomic functions, for example, beta-blocker and amitriptyline, and patients with severe skin lesions that interfere with the technical maneuver of the study
The results suggest that there is an autonomic dysfunction in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in comparison to the control group regarding latency and amplitude of SSR potentials
Summary
Sympathetic skin response (SSR) is a potential generated by sweat glands in response to a variety of stimulation [1]. This technique records changes in skin conductance after activation of sweat glands in areas of the skin that are rich in eccrine glands (commonly palmar and plantar sites) under the neural control of sympathetic cholinergic (sudomotor) fibers [2, 3]. Methods: Palmar SSR to median nerve electrical stimulation was recorded in 21 patients with SSc, 39 patients with RA, and in 60 healthy age and sex-matched control subjects. Results: Palmar SSR to median nerve stimulation (of SSc patients and RA patients) shows significantly delayed latency and reduced amplitude in comparison to the control group. Conclusions: Patients with SSc and RA have features of autonomic dysfunction with more affection of SSc patients
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