Original Title: Termotest para el estudio de neuropatía de fibra pequeña

Authors' objectives: This report aims to study the reliability and diagnostic validity of the thermotest (QST) for the detection and monitoring of NFP, to understand the perceptions of patients with NFP regarding the impact of the condition and diagnostic methods, and to review published data on device costs.

Authors' results and conclusions: Conclusions There is extensive published literature on the use of thermotests and QST for the diagnosis of PFN. However, the original articles have small sample sizes and significant clinical heterogeneity, including diverse pathologies, diverse PFNs with different stages of progression, and with and without pain. There is also significant heterogeneity in aspects related to technology, including the methods used, the devices used, and the comparator tests administered to patients. Therefore, the methodological quality is low, the certainty of the results obtained is low, and they cannot be generalized. Thermotest and QST should be used as complementary diagnostic tests, with clinical examination and neurological examination being the diagnostic methods that provide the most information in the study of patients with NFP.

Authors' methods: A systematic review was conducted of published studies on the inter- and intra-observer reliability and/or diagnostic effectiveness of thermotest or QST compared to skin biopsy and other diagnostic tests for the study of PFN. To study the diagnostic effectiveness of the thermotest, original articles were selected from studies evaluating the diagnostic validity or reliability of the QST. Various sources of information related to health sciences were consulted: databases PubMed (Medline) and EMBASE, Cochrane Library, DARE, NHSEED, and HTA databases from the Centre for Reviews and Dissemination (CRD) at the University of York, TripDatabase, Web of Science, SCOPUS, Virtual Health Library (VHL), and Google Scholar; and websites of medical associations and societies related to NFP. Methodological quality of the studies was assessed by peer review. QUADAS-2 tool was used for studies on the validity of QST diagnostic tests, and QAREL tool was used for studies on diagnostic reliability. A literature review of qualitative studies was conducted, which was the strategy followed to facilitate the incorporation of patient perceptions. CASPe tool was used to assess methodological quality.

Project Status: Completed

Year Published: 2025

URL for published report: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12105/26852

URL for additional information: https://redets.sanidad.gob.es/productos/buscarProductos.do?metodo=detalle&id=1322

English language abstract: An English language summary is available

Publication Type: Not Assigned

Country: Spain

Organisation Name: Agencia de Evaluacion de Tecnologias Sanitarias

Contact Address: Instituto de Salud "Carlos III", Calle Sinesio Delgado 6, Pabellon 4, 28029 Madrid, Spain. Tel: +34 9 1 822 2005; Fax: +34 9 1 387 7841;

Contact Name: Esther E. García Carpintero

Contact Email: eegarcia@isciii.es

Copyright: Agencia de Evaluacion de Tecnologias Sanitarias