CONTACT HEAT EVOKED POTENTIALS: NORMAL VALUES AND USE IN SMALL-FIBER NEUROPATHY

Vera Lagerburg, Mayienne Bakkers*, Anne Bouwhuis, Janneke G. J. Hoeijmakers, Arjen M. Smit, Sofia J. M. Van Den Berg, Ineke Hordijk-De Boer, Mardien D. G. Brouwer-Van Der Lee, Douwe Kranendonk, Jos P. H. Reulen, Catharina G. Faber, Ingemar S. J. Merkies

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

Introduction Contact heat evoked potentials (CHEPs) may be an objective, non-invasive diagnostic tool in small-fiber neuropathy (SFN). This study establishes normal CHEP values and examines their applicability in SFN patients. Methods: Standardized CHEPs were administered at the wrist and ankle. The N-2 and P-2 latencies and N-2-P-2 peak-peak amplitude were recorded by electroencephalography. We examined healthy subjects (n=97), stratified by age and gender, and SFN patients with abnormal intraepidermal nerve fiber density (n=42). CHEP reproducibility and interobserver values were also investigated. Results: CHEP normative values were determined. There was a 9-16% increase in latency per centimeter of height with increasing age. Amplitudes were higher in women than men, and decreased (17-71%) with aging. Test-retest reproducibility and interobserver values were >0.61 and >0.96, respectively. CHEPs were abnormal in 73.8% of the patients. Conclusion: In this study we have established normal values, reliability, and clinical applicability of CHEPs in SFN. Muscle Nerve, 2015 Muscle Nerve51:743-749, 2015
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)743-749
JournalMuscle & Nerve
Volume51
Issue number5
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - May 2015

Keywords

  • contact heat evoked potentials
  • polyneuropathy
  • quantitative sensory testing
  • reference values
  • small-fiber neuropathy

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