Skin biopsy diagnosis of peripheral neuropathy

Purins A, Mundy L, Hiller JE
Record ID 32007000658
English
Authors' results and conclusions: Although the evidence for the use of skin biopsy to diagnose small fibre neuropathy (SFN) was mainly from small scale studies, the technique appears to perform well. As yet there are no studies reporting on long term outcomes of patients diagnosed with SFN. In addition, no economic data were found. Although some studies mention the possibility of treatments/therapies for patients diagnosed with SFN, none were identified where the therapies were administered to the patients diagnosed with SFN. Therefore it is unknown whether patients benefit from being diagnosed with SFN.
Authors' recommendations: Based on the currently available evidence, skin biopsy appears to be a potentially useful technique for the diagnosis of SFN but as yet there is limited evidence to its efficacy. Therefore HealthPACT has recommended that further assessment of this technology is no longer warranted.
Details
Project Status: Completed
Year Published: 2007
URL for published report: Not Available
English language abstract: An English language summary is available
Publication Type: Not Assigned
Country: Australia
MeSH Terms
  • Biopsy
  • Peripheral Nervous System Diseases
  • Skin
Contact
Organisation Name: Adelaide Health Technology Assessment
Contact Address: School of Public Health, Mail Drop 545, University of Adelaide, Adelaide SA 5005, AUSTRALIA, Tel: +61 8 8313 4617
Contact Name: ahta@adelaide.edu.au
Contact Email: ahta@adelaide.edu.au
Copyright: Adelaide Health Technology Assessment (AHTA)
This is a bibliographic record of a published health technology assessment from a member of INAHTA or other HTA producer. No evaluation of the quality of this assessment has been made for the HTA database.