Intraepidermal nerve fiber density at the distal leg: a worldwide normative reference study.
J Peripher Nerv Syst
; 15(3): 202-7, 2010 Sep.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-21040142
ABSTRACT
The diagnostic reliability of skin biopsy in small fiber neuropathy depends on the availability of normative reference values. We performed a multicenter study to assess the normative values of intraepidermal nerve fiber (IENF) density at distal leg stratified by age deciles. Eight skin biopsy laboratories from Europe, USA, and Asia submitted eligible data. Inclusion criteria of raw data were healthy subjects 18 years or older; known age and gender; 3-mm skin biopsy performed 10-cm above the lateral malleolus; bright-field immunohistochemistry protocol, and quantification of linear IENF density in three 50-µm sections according to published guidelines. Data on height and weight were recorded, and body mass index (BMI) was calculated in subjects with both available data. Normative IENF density reference values were calculated through quantile regression analysis; influence of height, weight, or BMI was determined by regression analyses. IENF densities from 550 participants (285 women, 265 men) were pooled. We found a significant age-dependent decrease of IENF density in both genders (women p < 0.001; men p = 0.002). Height, weight, or BMI did not influence the calculated 5th percentile IENF normative densities in both genders. Our study provides IENF density normative reference values at the distal leg to be used in clinical practice.
Texto completo:
1
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Biópsia
/
Epiderme
/
Perna (Membro)
/
Fibras Nervosas
Tipo de estudo:
Clinical_trials
/
Guideline
Limite:
Adult
/
Aged
/
Aged80
/
Female
/
Humans
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Male
/
Middle aged
Idioma:
En
Revista:
J Peripher Nerv Syst
Assunto da revista:
NEUROLOGIA
Ano de publicação:
2010
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
Itália