Characterizing Treatable Causes of Small Fiber Polyneuropathy in Gulf War Veterans

Abstract

Damage to the small nerve fibers that sense pain and regulate function of internal organs results in small-fiber polyneuropathy (SFPN). SFPN symptoms include unexplained chronic widespread pain (CWP) and chronic multisymptom illness (CMI) similar to Gulf War Illness. Our prior research demonstrated that SFPN is prevalent in such CWP and CMI syndromes and that it can have onset at a young age. Given these non-specific symptoms, objective testing is recommended for SFPN diagnosis. In the first year of this study, an Internet-based framework for developing a formal Case Definition of SFPN was developed. Global experts were invited to participate in a Delphi method process to determine the most reliable markers for SFPN (Case Definition). We also will determine if common blood tests have utility in diagnosing SFPN because some causes are treatable. We performed a preliminary retrospective study to identify blood tests with historically good predictive value.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Oct 01, 2015
Accession Number
AD1006999

Entities

People

  • Anne L. Oaklander
  • Max M. Klein

Organizations

  • Massachusetts General Hospital

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Antibodies
  • Blood
  • Blood Proteins
  • Delphi Method
  • Department Of Defense
  • Health Care
  • Health Services
  • Hematologic Tests
  • Immunoproteins
  • Institutional Review Board
  • Internet
  • Medical Personnel
  • Nerves
  • Neurology
  • Neuromuscular Diseases
  • Peripheral Nervous System
  • Persian Gulf Syndrome

Fields of Study

  • Medicine

Readers

  • Gulf War Illness and Chronic Multisymptom Illness in Veterans.