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 (SFN). 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 third year of this study Global experts participated in additional rounds of a Delphi process to determine the most reliable markers for SFPN (Case Definition). We also developed a comprehensive database of SFPN patients and well characterized controls with which to validate the Case Definition. The diagnostic tests recommended under the Case Definition were applied to Veterans and age-matched controls to look for the prevalence of SFPN.

Open PDF

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Dec 01, 2018
Accession Number
AD1093172

Entities

People

  • Anne L. Oaklander
  • Max M. Klein

Organizations

  • Massachusetts General Hospital

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Autoimmune Diseases
  • Cardiovascular Physiological Phenomena
  • Health Services
  • Hematologic Diseases
  • Medical Personnel
  • Nerve Fibers
  • Neuromuscular Diseases
  • Neuropathy
  • Peripheral Nervous System
  • Thyroid Diseases

Fields of Study

  • Medicine

Readers

  • Gulf War Illness and Chronic Multisymptom Illness in Veterans.