SFSN affects the small fibers of the peripheral nervous system, resulting in sensory disturbances which affect different areas of the body. The two types of SFSN are length-dependent SFSN, and non-length-dependent SFSN and these differ based on the location of the symptoms.
Burning pain or coldness, electric shock-like brief painful sensations, dry eyes, dry mouth, postural lightheadedness, presyncope, syncope, abnormal sweating, erectile dysfunction, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, early satiety, and difficulty with urinary frequency.
HIV, Guillain-Barré syndrome, chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy, celiac disease, hepatitis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and Sjögren’s syndrome.
As opposed to length-dependent SFSN, non-length-dependent SFSN is more likely to affect females and has an earlier onset. The non-length-dependent form also has a higher association with immune-mediated conditions. Diabetes has also been identified as a common precursor to developing SFSN.
Hovaguimian, A., & Gibbons, C. H. (2011). Diagnosis and Treatment of Pain in Small Fiber Neuropathy. Current Pain and Headache Reports, 15(3), 193–200. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11916-011-0181-7
Khan, S., & Zhou, L. (2012). Characterization of non–length-dependent small-fiber sensory neuropathy. Muscle & Nerve, 45(1), 86–91. https://doi.org/10.1002/mus.22255
McNamara, L. (n.d.). Small Fiber Sensory Neuropathy. Retrieved June 12, 2021, from https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/neurology_neurosurgery/centers_clinics/peripheral_nerve/conditions/small_fiber_sensory_neuropathy.html
