Small Fiber Neuropathy

Abstract

Small fiber neuropathy (SFN), despite a thirty-year history of study, remains one of the most mysterious diseases that are difficult to diagnose and treat. The prevalence of SFN is 52.95 per 100 000 population; diabetes mellitus is considered to be the most frequent cause of this disease. Chronic neuropathic pain syndrome, temperature sensation abnormalities, and autonomic disorders develop as a result of damage to fine myelinated Аδ- and unmyelinated C fibers. The disease mainly spreads in the upward direction: from feet to the proximal parts of the body and arms; primary axonal damage takes place. Although SFN is believed to be one of the most “benign” types of neuropathy as it does not involve the large sensory and motor fibers, patients’ quality of life is markedly reduced.