title: Characterization of non-length-dependent small-fiber sensory neuropathy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Non-length-dependent small-fiber sensory neuropathy (NLD-SFSN) is not as well characterized as length-dependent small-fiber sensory neuropathy (LD-SFSN).
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixty-three patients with NLD-SFSN were compared with 175 patients with LD-SFSN for their demographics and disease associations.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Age was younger in those with NLD-SFSN (45.5 ± 13.1 years) than in those with LD-SFSN (55.1 ± 11.4 years, P < 0.001). Forty-six of 63 (73.0%) patients were women in the NLD-SFSN group, whereas 84 of 175 (48.0%) were women in the LD-SFSN group (P < 0.001). Disease associations were identified in 26 of 63 (41.3%) patients with NLD-SFSN, including diabetes or prediabetes in 10 (15.9%), connective tissue diseases in 6 (9.5%), thyroid dysfunction in 4 (6.3%), sarcoidosis in 3 (4.8%), vitamin B(12) deficiency in 2 (3.2%), and paraproteinemia in 1 (1.6%). Immune-mediated conditions were present in 9 of 63 (14.3%) patients with NLD-SFSN and 6 of 175 (3.4%) patients with LD-SFSN (P = 0.012).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  NLD-SFSN is more common in women, presents at a younger age, and is more likely to be associated with immune-mediated conditions than LD-SFSN.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Neurological Institute, Cleveland Clinic, 9500 Euclid Avenue/S90, Cleveland, Ohio 44195, USA.
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.forename: Lan
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zhou
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear / Q000378:metabolism; D034961:Antigens, Nuclear / Q000378:metabolism; D001706:Biopsy / Q000379:methods; D003240:Connective Tissue Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009412:Nerve Fibers / Q000473:pathology*; D007703:Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A / Q000378:metabolism; D010523:Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012217:Rheumatoid Factor / Q000378:metabolism; D012678:Sensation Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology*; D012867:Skin / Q000294:innervation; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear; D034961:Antigens, Nuclear; D012217:Rheumatoid Factor; D007703:Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A