| Abstract [eng] |
Background: Peripheral sensory neuropathy (PSN) is associated with sensory disturbances and psychological symptoms, particularly depression and anxiety, affecting up to one-third of patients. Pain and physical impairment may contribute to emotional distress and reduced quality of life. Chronic venous disease (CVD), characterized by leg heaviness, pain, and swelling, may influence peripheral nerve function through microvascular alterations. However, relationships between cutaneous sensory nerve (CSN) dysfunction, psychological symptoms, venous symptoms, and quality of life remain insufficiently explored. This study aimed to evaluate the associations between different patterns of CSN conduction abnormalities and sociodemographic, anthropometric factors, depressive and anxiety symptoms, CVD, pain, and quality of life. Methods: A cross-sectional study included 530 adult patients attending outpatient neurology or family medicine consultations. CSN function was assessed using the Neurometer® medical device with current perception threshold testing of large (Aβ) and small (Aδ and C) sensory fibers. Anthropometric and blood pressure data, sociodemographic information, and data on diabetes mellitus, antihypertensive medication use, and smoking were recorded. Depressive, anxiety, and venous symptoms were assessed using the PHQ-9, GAD-7, and VVSymQ questionnaires accordingly, pain was evaluated using the McGill Pain Questionnaire, and quality of life – using a shortened version of the SF-36 questionnaire. After applying the selection criteria, 131 participants were included in the final analysis and assigned to one of four neurometric groups according to neurometry results. Results: The final analytical sample consisted of 131 participants (76.3% were women; mean age 49.8 ± 14.1 years). Neurometric groups did not differ significantly in age, sex, anthropometric parameters, blood pressure, sociodemographic characteristics, or smoking history (p > 0.05). Participants with combined small and large fiber dysfunction showed the highest psychological symptom burden. Depressive symptoms significantly differed between neurometric groups (p = 0.002). PHQ-9 scores were highest in above mentioned group (7.84 ± 4.00), and the PHQ-9 ≥8 threshold was reached more frequently than in the normal group (48.6% vs. 24.6%, p = 0.012). Anxiety symptoms also differed between neurometric groups (p = 0.007). The combined fiber dysfunction group showed the highest GAD-7 scores (8.19 ± 5.38) and more frequently reached the GAD-7 ≥6 threshold than the normal group (59.5% vs. 34.8%, p = 0.013). Venous symptoms differed between groups (p = 0.003), with the highest VVSymQ scores (5.41 ± 6.26) and more frequent VVSymQ ≥7 threshold also found in the combined fiber dysfunction group (35.1% vs. 10.1%, p = 0.002). Foot pain was also more frequent in this group (p = 0.027). Participants with abnormal neurometric findings reported poorer physical health-related quality of life (p = 0.012). Conclusions: More extensive CSN dysfunction was associated with higher levels of depressive and anxiety symptoms, greater lower-limb venous symptom burden, more frequent foot pain, and poorer physical health-related quality of life. Keywords: Peripheral sensory neuropathy, Sensory nerve dysfunction, Neurometer, Depression, Anxiety, Chronic venous disease, Quality of life. |
