The characteristics of autonomic nerve dysfunction and sympathetic skin response in patients with gout

Abstract

Objective To analyze the clinical features of autonomic nerve dysfunction and sympathetic skin response (SSR) in patients with gout. Methods A total of 25 patients with gout diagnosed from March 2017 to January 2018 were enrolled, including 10 patients with tophus and 8 patients with autonomic nerve dysfunction(symptomatic). EMG was used to detect SSR. Results The main symptoms of autonomic nervous dysfunction in the gout group were abnormal sweat glands. Compared with the normal control group, the lower extremity latency period of patients in the gout group was prolonged (Z=⁃2.136, P =0.033) and the amplitude was reduced (Z =⁃2.959, P =0.003). Lower extremity amplitude of the symptomatic group was lower than that of the normal control group (Z =⁃3.426, P = 0.001) and the asymptomatic group (Z = ⁃3.308, P=0.001). The lower extremity amplitude of patients in tophout group was lower than that in the control group(Z =⁃3.176, P=0.001) and the non⁃tophout group(Z =⁃2.301, P= 0.021), while the lower extremity latency period of patients without tophout was prolonged(Z=⁃2.518, P= 0.120)and the amplitude was reduced(Z=⁃2.327, P=0.020),which were statistically significant different from the control group. Conclusions Abnormal autonomic nerve function exists in gout patients, mainly in lower limb injury, especially in patients with tophus or symptoms of autonomic nerve dysfunction. SSR can objectively evaluate the autonomic nerve function state.

Keywords

• Gout; Primary dysautonomias; Sympathetic nervous system