Sympathetic skin response in diabetic neuropathy

Autonomic neuropathy is a complication of diabetes mellitus (DM) in substantial proportion of cases and may cause definite autonomic symptoms. Because conventional electrophysiological methods do not assess the autonomic nervous system, simple reproducible tests were developed. One of them is sympathetic skin response (SSR) which provides useful information about the status of sympathetic postganglionic function. The aim of this study is to perform SSR in diabetic patients to see whether this test can be used as an electrophysiological method for the diagnosis and confirmation of diabetic autonomic neuropathy. 20 diabetic patients who had electrophysiologically confirmed polyneuropathy but showed no symptoms or signs referable to autonomic system dysfunction were included. 14 (70%) patients demonstrated abnormal SSR. 2 abnormal patterns were observed. An absent response in at least one tested lower extremity (50%) and prolonged foot with normal hand latency (20%). 6 patients (30%) demonstrated no abnormalities. Foot and hand latencies in diabetics did not differ significantly from those of normal controls (p: 0.4, p: 0.1) and no correlation could be found with latencies and duration of sickness, patient's age and HbA1c values. We believe latency measurement is an objective measure of conduction in multineural pathways and can detect subclinical involvement of sympathetic nervous system in diabetics who do not manifest symptoms or signs referable to autonomic system dysfunction.     

交感皮肤反应在糖尿病患者中的应用价值

目的：探讨交感神经皮肤反应（sympathetic skin response,SSR）在糖尿病（DM）患者中的应用价值。方法：对68例DM患者和32例健康人进行了四肢SSR检查,并与周围神经运动、感觉传导速度和临床表现及不同病程进行相关分析比较。结果：健康对照组均引出正常SSR波,而DM组13．2％未引出SSR波;与健康对照组相比,DM组SSR波潜伏期延长、波幅降低,经统计学分析差异有显著意义（P〈0．01,P〈0．05）。伴有感觉异常症状及体征的DM患者,SSR消失率最高（18％）、潜伏期最长、波幅最低;有神经异常等症状而无体征者次之,既无症状又无临床体征者最低,三组组间相比差异显著（P〈0．05）。周围神经传导异常的DM患者SSR潜伏期明显长于正常组,波幅亦明显低于正常组（均P〈0．05）;病程越长,SSR异常率越高,异常程度越明显,以病程超过10年的DM患者潜伏期最长,波幅降低最为明显（P〈0．05）。结论：SSR异常程度与DM性周围神经损害的程度相一致,SSR可作为评价DM性周围神经损害程度及植物神经功能状况的客观指标。     

Comparison of sympathetic skin response between palmar hyperhidrotic and normal subjects

Palmar hyperhidrosis is a disorder with excessive sweating. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the autonomic function in palmarhyperhidrotic patients with Sympathetic skin response (SSR) test. In this study SSr was performed for the upper limbs of 20 patients with palmar hyperhidrosis, who did not have any other systemic or localized wrist and palmar disease as "Involved Group" and 28 healthy subject as "Control Group" without any palmar hyperhidrosis, systemic or local disease. The findings indicated a significant difference between latency and amplitude of the two groups (P.V. < 0.001) 95%. Beside, in this study, we observed a direct correlation between severity of symptom and the degree of SSR abnormality. Therefore, involvement of sympathetic nervous system in palmar hyperhidrosis were highly suspected.     

神经传导检测结合交感皮肤反应及R—R间期变化率对糖尿病周围神经病的诊断价值

目的：探讨神经传导检测（NCS）结合交感皮肤反应（SSR）及心电图R-R间期变化率（RRIV）对糖尿病周围神经病（DPN）的诊断价值。方法：选择82例糖尿病患者（DM组）和22例年龄、性别相匹配的健康志愿者（健康对照组）进行NCS、SSR、RRIV检测。将DM组根椐有无感觉、运动神经损害症状再分为有症状组和无症状组;根据NCS结果再分为正常组和异常组进行比较。结果：①SSR和RRIV各参数与临床自主神经症状量表（ASP）评分均有显著相关性（P〈0．05）;②与健康对照组比较,DM不论有症状组还是无症状组NCS异常率均增高（P〈0．01）,SSR潜伏期延长和波幅下降,RRIV参数减低（P〈0.05）。DM有症状组NCS异常率显著高于无症状组（P〈0．01）,但两组间SSR及RRIV各参数比较差异无显著意义;③与健康对照组比较,DM组中的NCS异常组SSR潜伏期延长和波幅下降,RRIV参数减低（P〈0.05）,DM组中的NCS正常组上肢SSR潜伏期延长和波幅下降（P〈0．05）,而下肢SSR及RRIV各参数比较差异无显著意义。结论：NCS和SSR、RRIV分别是检测感觉、运动神经和自主神经受损的客观敏感方法,并能发现亚临床病变;在DPN中,感觉、运动神经受累与自主神经受累并非完全呈平行关系,这三种方法相结合,可更好地对周围神经病变作出全面评价。     

Neurophysiological assessment of peripheral neuropathy in primary Sjögren's syndrome

Peripheral nervous system complications are rare in patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome. We investigated a group of six women aged 43–64 years who complained of pain and sensory symptoms. Conventional neurophysiological tests reflecting large nerve fiber function revealed normal motor conduction in all patients, whereas sensory nerve action potentials were absent in two. On the other hand, quantitative thermometry and autonomic nerve function tests indicating small nerve fiber function were more sensitive in the assessment of nerve dysfunction; these showed abnormalities in all cases. Vibrametry showed dysfunctions in four patients. The latter methods possess great sensitivity in discovering sensory disturbances. Neurophysiological assessment of the sensory and autonomic nervous system demonstrating sensory neuropathy contributes to early diagnosis of primary Sjögren's syndrome.Abbreviations HRV heart rate variation - PNS peripheral nervous system - pSS primary Sjögren's syndrome - SSEP short-latency somatosensory evoked potentials - SSR sympathetic skin response - SuCV sudomotor nerve conduction velocity     

32例糖尿病患者交感神经皮肤反应的探讨

目的 :应用交感神经皮肤反应 (SSR)探讨与糖尿病 (DM)相关的植物神经功能状况。方法 :对 32例DM患者及正常组采用电刺激法进行SSR检测。结果 :正常组SSR波形可分为三种类型 :P型、N型、M型 ,其中M型易产生适应性 ,受皮温、刺激强度、深呼吸等影响。 32例DM患者SSR潜伏期异常 17例 ,异常率为 5 3%。DM组与正常组的SSR相比 ,潜伏期和波幅的差异均有非常显著性意义 (P <0 0 1)。病程≤ 5年DM组与正常组的SSR相比 ,潜伏期和波幅的差异均有显著性意义 (P <0 0 5 ) ;而与病程 >5年DM组相比 ,仅潜伏期差异显示显著性意义 (P <0 0 5 ) ,波幅虽有降低 ,但无统计学差异。结论 :SSR可以评价DM患者的植物神经功能状况 ,尤其是潜伏期更有价值 ,可以作为一项动态观察指标。     

帕金森病患者的交感神经皮肤反应研究

目的:研究帕金森病(PD)患者的自主神经功能情况。方法:对40例PD患者和38例健康者分别进行了交感神经皮肤反应(SSR)测定,并将结果加以比较。结果:PD组SSR测定异常率为 75％(30／40),SSR波潜伏期明显延长,波幅降低,与对照组相比差异有显著意义(P<0．01)。结论:PD 患者存在一定的自主神经功能损害,SSR可作为判断PD患者的自主神经功能的参考指标。     

皮肤交感反应对糖尿病自主神经病的诊断价值

目的：探讨皮肤交感反应（SSR）检查对诊断糖尿病自主神经病的价值。方法：将122例2型糖尿病患者分为有自主神经症状组（71例）和无自主神经症状组（51例）,每位患者进行神经传导检查及SSR检查。分析比较两组患者SSR与神经传导检查结果的差异。结果：两组间SSR、神经传导的检查结果比较差异无统计学意义（P〉0．05）。43例SSR正常的患者中有29例（65．9％）有自主神经症状,22例（51。2％）病程短于5年;79例SSR异常的患者中有43例（54．4％）有自主神经症状,37例（46．8％）糖化血红蛋白（HbA1C）高于8．5％。结论：SSR与自主神经症状无明显相关性;糖尿病控制情况及病程对SSR结果均有影响。     

抑郁亚综合征患者的交感神经皮肤反应

目的:探讨抑郁亚综合征(SSD)患者的自主神经功能,以寻求此类患者临床诊断指标.方法:对33例SSD患者和31例健康者分别进行交感神经皮肤反应(SSR)测定,并将结果加以比较.结果:SSD患者SSR测定异常率为79%,SSR波潜伏期明显延长,波幅降低,与对照组相比差异有非常显著意义(P＜0.01).结论:SSR可判断SSD患者的自主神经功能情况,对其临床诊治有较高的价值.     

22例糖尿病合并阳萎患者的交感皮肤反应研究

目的：探讨Ⅱ型糖尿病阳萎患者外阴交感皮肤反应（SSR）与肢体SSR和胫神经运动传导速度（MCV）的相关性,以评价其对糖尿病合并阳萎早期诊断防治及疗效的意义。方法：对22例糖尿病合并阳萎患者进行会阴与肢体SSR以及胫神经MCV检测,并以19例非阳萎糖尿病者和28例正常男性作对照。结果：糖尿病合并阳萎患者肢体和会阴SSR潜伏期较非阳萎糖尿病者和正常对照组明显延长,糖尿病合并阳萎患者肢体和会阴SSR波幅面积较非阳萎糖尿病得和正常对照组明显缩小,结论：糖尿病合并阳萎的患者SSR潜伏期延长,MCV减慢,SSR波幅亦明显缩小;肢体与会阴SSR的潜伏期均可反映糖尿病神经性阳萎患者的植物神经病变。因此检测肢体SSR对于防治糖尿病阳萎有重要的临床应用价值。     

西酞普兰和文拉法新对抑郁症患者交感皮肤反应的影响

目的探讨不同药理机制的抗抑郁药西酞普兰和文拉法新对抑郁症患者交感皮肤反应（SSR）影响的差异。方法 67例抑郁症患者随机分为西酞普兰和文拉法新组,于治疗前、治疗后4周末测定SSR及汉密尔顿抑郁量表（HAM D 17）,并与35例正常对照组比较。结果①治疗前两患者组SSR潜伏期均高于对照组、波幅均低于对照组（LSD检验,P均=0.000）;治疗后,两患者组潜伏期降低（t=3.616,5.457;P=0.001,0.000）、波幅提高（t=-3.134,-6.067;P=0.004,0.000）,与对照组相比差异均有统计学意义（LSD检验,P均=0.000）;②治疗后文拉法新组SSR潜伏期变化率高于西酞普兰组（F=4.379,P=0.040）;③患者HAM D总分与SSR潜伏期呈正相关（r=0.359,P=0.003）、与波幅呈负相关（r=-0.282,P=0.021）。结论抑郁症患者SSR潜伏期异常增高、波幅异常降低,提示存在自主神经功能异常,抗抑郁药能降低SSR潜伏期、提高波幅,文拉法新的作用优于西酞普兰。     

脑梗死患者交感神经皮肤反应的临床研究

目的 :应用交感神经皮肤反应检查法 (SSR)定量评价脑梗死患者的交感神经反射活动 ,并探讨其植物神经中枢调节机制。方法 :对 42例急性期脑梗死患者 ,利用肌电图仪刺激双侧正中神经记录SSR ,并以 30例健康人作对照组进行研究。结果 :脑梗死急性期病灶同侧SSR异常 38例 (90 % ) ,对侧为 30例 (71% )。皮层梗死组主要表现为双侧SSR波幅对称性降低 ,与对照组比较差异非常显著 (P <0 0 0 1)。内囊—基底节区梗死组的异常表现形式有SSR缺失 ,双侧波幅降低 (同侧 :P <0 0 0 1,对侧 :P <0 0 1) ,以病灶同侧波幅降低更显著。结论 :SSR可定量评价脑梗死患者的交感神经功能状态 ,对脑梗死患者的植物神经功能障碍有亚临床诊断价值 ;脑梗死急性期可致SSR抑制 ,内囊—基底节区对植物神经系统有重要的调节作用。     

交感神经皮肤反应对评价慢性肾功能不全患者植物神经损害的意义

目的:探讨慢性肾功能不全(CRF)患者交感神经皮肤反应(SSR)的变化及其临床意义。方法:对52例CRF患者行SSR检测,并与32例正常对照组比较。结果:CRF组SSR波幅低于正常对照组,潜伏期较对照组延长(P<0.01)。CRF组SSR总异常率为71%,其中上肢异常率为48%,下肢异常率为71%;慢性肾衰早期组16例中7例(44%)SSR异常,慢性肾衰组19例中14例(74%)SSR异常,尿毒症组17例中16例(94%)SSR异常;CRF患者上下肢之间、不同亚组之间SSR异常率比较差异有极显著意义(P<0.01)。CRF组病程和血肌酐水平与SSR潜伏期间的偏相关系数分别为0.4732(P<0.01)和0.3247(P<0.05),而与SSR波幅间的偏相关系数为-0.3173和-0.3062(P均<0.05);年龄与SSR潜伏期偏相关系数为0.0434(P>0.05),与SSR波幅偏相关系数为-0.4445(P<0.01)。结论:SSR的异常反映了CRF患者常合并交感神经损害,且与病程、肾功能损害程度及年龄因素相关,SSR检测可作为评价CRF患者交感神经损害敏感的客观指标。     

Comparison of the utility of sympathetic skin response and current perception threshold examinations with conventional examinations for the early electrophysiological diagnosis of diabetic polyneuropathy

We compared the utility of sympathetic skin response (SSR) and current perception threshold (CPT) with that of conventional electrophysiological examinations like sural sensory conduction velocity, sensory nerve action potential (SNAP), peroneal motor conduction velocity, compound muscle action potentials, and F-wave latency. Twenty-two type II diabetic patients (mean age, 69.6 years) without sensory symptoms and with a mean glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) level of 7.1%, along with 26 age-matched control patients, were examined. Among the conventional examinations, only the sural SNAP was considerably (although not significantly) depressed in the diabetic group. On the other hand, the mean SSR amplitude in the diabetic group was approximately half of the value in the control group. All the CPT values were also considerably lower in the diabetic group than in the control group, although only the values for hand stimulation at 2000 and 250 Hz were significant. No correlations were observed between the SSR amplitudes and the CPT values at any of the test frequencies. However, a positive correlation between the mean HbA1c level and the CPT value was seen at all frequencies. We concluded that SSR amplitude measurements are superior to conventional examinations and CPT studies with regard to the early electrophysiological diagnosis of diabetic polyneuropathy. Furthermore, CPT values may be useful as an electrophysiological surrogate indicator of recent glycemic control.     

巴金森病与多系统萎缩患者的交感神经皮肤反应研究

目的：研究原发性巴金森病（IPD）与多系统萎缩（MSA）交感神经皮肤反应（SSR）,以探讨它们自主神经功能障碍的差异。方法：对31例IPD、17例MSA和83位正常人的SSR结果比较,分析PD组和MSA组SSR异常特征和与病程、自主神经症状的相关性。结果：MSA组SSR异常率（76％）显著高于IPD组（45％）,以双侧异常多见。3年内病程的SSR异常率为73％,并与自主神经症状相关。IPD组SSR异常与病程显著相关,与自主神经症状无完全对应关系,SSR异常更多见于震颤侧。结论：MSA广泛而严重的自主神经系统受累可能是SSR异常显著有别于IPD的基础。SSR异常出现早,呈双侧改变,且与自主神经症状有对应关系,则更多提示MSA的可能。     

Diagnosis and treatment of scleroderma

Scleroderma is a rare disease. Approximately 80% of patients are females, and one-half present before the age of 40. Some studies suggest a higher incidence and severity of disease in black females than in whites. Scleroderma affect approximately 20 new patients per million per year and has an estimated prevalence of approximately 250 patients per million in the United States, the synonyms from this desease including Progressive systemic sclerosis (PSS), or diffuse scleroderma. Scleroderma is a multisystem disorder characterized by skin thickening and vascular abnormalities. Causes of scleroderma remain mysterious. Immunologic abnormalities are suggested by the presence of characteristic autoantibodies such as ANA,anticentromere, and anti-Scl-70 antibodies. In addition to skin, the most commonly affected organs are lung and kidney. Three major diseases subsets are recognized based on the extent of skin disease. Limited disease is defined as skin fibrosis in distal extremities and some areas of face and neck. Limited diseases are also known as CREST syndrome. Diffuse disease includes patients with skin abnormalities extending to the proximal extremities (i.e., above the elbow or knee) and trunk. Localized disease manifests as patches (morphea) or bandlike (linear scleroderma) areas of skin thickening.     

Sympathetic skin response in peritoneal dialysis patients

To determine if there is any difference in nerve conduction studies or sympathetic skin response (SSR) between patients on peritoneal dialysis and those on regular hemodialysis, we did a cross-sectional observational study. The study group consisted of 24 patients on peritoneal dialysis (PD) (12 men, aged 45 +/- 17 years) and 20 patients on hemodialysis (HD) (11 men, aged 50 +/- 22 years). All of these patients were in stable clinical condition, they were receiving adequate dialysis, and none of them had systemic diseases. Motor and sensory nerve conduction studies of the common and medial peroneal nerve and SSR were performed in all patients. There were no differences in motor and sensory nerve conduction velocities between PD and HD patients. All PD patients had detectable SSR. However, six patients on HD (30%) failed to show SSR (p < 0.05). Mean SSR amplitude was higher in PD patients than in HD patients (1233 +/- 843 vs. 605 +/- 771 microv, p < 0.05). There were no differences in mean SSR latency between PD and HD patients. PD modality (continuous ambulatory PD vs. automated PD) or the presence of residual renal function did not influence nerve conduction studies or SSR. In conclusion, using standard nerve conduction studies, no differences could be found between HD and PD. However, a higher proportion of patients on HD showed an impaired SSR, suggesting that subclinical neuropathy may be more common in HD than PD patients.     

Effects of ageing on spinal motor and autonomic pain responses

The course of ageing leads to various changes in the nervous system, which can affect pain processing in the elderly. However, the affection of different components of the nociceptive system remains unclear. To investigate basic nocifensive responses, we compared age-related changes of autonomic and motor reflex responses to noxious electrical stimulation. In 39 healthy young subjects (mean +/- S.D.; 24.1 +/- 3.3 years) and 52 healthy elderly subjects (mean +/- S.D.; 71.9 +/- 5.3 years) the nociceptive flexion reflex (NFR) and the sympathetic skin response (SSR) were determined using noxious electrical stimulation of the sural nerve. Verbal pain ratings were assessed in addition. No ageing effects on the NFR and on verbal pain ratings were found, whereas the SSR amplitude declined significantly with ageing. Since both SSR and NFR share comparable primary afferent pathways and the motor as well as the subjective responses to noxious stimulation were preserved, our data seem to suggest that central or peripheral efferent sympathetic functions are altered by age.     

糖尿病患者交感神经皮肤反应及F波的观察

目的:探讨交感神经皮肤反应(SSR)及F波在糖尿病周围神经病中的诊断价值。方法:对30例糖尿病患者进行常规SSR及F波检测,并与30例正常人的检查结果进行对比分析。结果:与正常对照组比较,病例组上下肢SSR的潜伏期延长及波幅降低,差异有显著意义(P<0．01)。SSR的潜伏期异常率上肢为45％,下肢为75％,波幅异常率上肢70％,下肢75％,下肢异常率显著高于上肢。F波的异常率为45％(仅作上肢)。结论:SSR及F波检测是一种简单,易行和无创的自主神经功能及周围神经的检测方法,可作为糖尿病性神经损害的客观指标。     

Discrepancies betweenin vivo andin vitro responses toCandida antigen in patients with progressive systemic sclerosis (PSS; scleroderma)

Leukocyte migration inhibition (LIF) assay and skin tests were used to determine the responsiveness of patients with progressive systemic sclerosis (PSS) to a solubleCandida antigen. All but 2 of the 24 patients with PSS and diffuse scleroderma (PSS-DS) showed positivein vitro responses toCandida. However, 12 of these patients had negative skin tests toCandida. This lack of correlation between skin tests and LIF was significant atP<0.001 and was not observed in patients with the CREST variant of scleroderma (PSS-CREST). Sixty-four percent (9/14) of the latter were unresponsive toCandida in LIF, and 55% (5/9) were unresponsive in both tests. Of 26 control individuals studied, 92% (24) had positivein vivo andin vitro responses toCandida. Thus, LIF assay may not be a correlate of the delayed hypersensitivity (DH) in disease states. In the microenvironment of the skin in patients with PSS-DS, the DH was abnormal, even whenCandida-sensitized lymphocytes produced LIFin vitro.