title: Evaluation of the Semmes-Weinstein filaments and a questionnaire to assess chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study aims to assess the use of Semmes-Weinstein monofilaments (SWMs) and of the Chemotherapy-Induced Neurotoxicity Questionnaire (CINQ) in the detection of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN).
  
  
  METHODS
  It is a comparative and cross-sectional study performed in a philanthropic general hospital, located in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. One hundred seventeen individuals have participated in this study; they were divided into two groups: patients (n = 87) treated with oxaliplatin, paclitaxel, or docetaxel and controls (n = 30) without malignant disease.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were statistically significant differences between groups for all symptoms assessed by means of the CINQ. Lower limbs were more severely affected. Patients had increased frequency and severity of changes in all points assessed with SWM compared with controls. In the analyses of concordance between CINQ and SWM, kappa = 0.320 (p < 0.001) was obtained, and there was a moderate and positive correlation (ρ = 0.357; p < 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  CINQ and SWM may be valid tools for diagnosing CIPN in oncology practice. SWM may identify subclinical CIPN.
authors.affiliation: Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, Brazil, enfdelma@yahoo.com.br.
authors.forename: Delma Aurélia
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: da Silva Simão
authors.forename: Antônio Lúcio
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Teixeira
authors.forename: Raissa Silva
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Souza
authors.forename: Elenice Dias Ribeiro
authors.initials: ED
authors.lastname: de Paula Lima
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001938:Brazil; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D000077143:Docetaxel; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D020258:Neurotoxicity Syndromes / Q000175:diagnosis; D009944:Organoplatinum Compounds / Q000009:adverse effects; D000077150:Oxaliplatin; D017239:Paclitaxel / Q000009:adverse effects; D010523:Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis*; D011594:Psychometrics / Q000295:instrumentation; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires / Q000592:standards*; D043823:Taxoids / Q000009:adverse effects
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D009944:Organoplatinum Compounds; D043823:Taxoids; D000077150:Oxaliplatin; D000077143:Docetaxel; D017239:Paclitaxel