Relapsing-Remitting Immunotherapy Responsive Small-Fiber Neuropathy: Longitudinal Tracking Through 10 Years Including Pregnancies.

Abstract

Objectives: To expand understanding of the pathogenesis, presentations, and treatment of initially idiopathic small fiber polyneuropathy (SFN).

Methods: We longitudinally readministered validated metrics to track disease course and treatment responses in a previously healthy woman with acute, postinfectious, skin biopsy-confirmed, idiopathic SFN.

Results: During 5 years, viral respiratory infections triggered 3 separated episodes of acute, disabling burning hand, foot, and face pain (erythromelalgia). The initial 2 resolved with high-dose prednisone, and the third responded to repeated immunoglobulin treatments. Pregnancy with miscarriage triggered a fourth exacerbation refractory to corticosteroids and cyclosporin. Immunoglobulins restored total remission for 2 months; then, 2 rituximab doses slightly improved later flaring. Subsequently, daratumumab initiated 100-day remission later maintained by belimumab, initiated to permit another pregnancy. Remission continued after gestational week 13 all-treatment withdrawal. A week 30 fifth flare responded to plasmapheresis, with healthy birth at week 40. At 11-week postpartum, as symptoms returned, restarting belimumab restored remission maintained during ≥19 months of breastfeeding.

Discussion: This decade of tracking characterizes a relapsing-remitting course of SFN with initially separated monophasic episodes becoming more confluent, as with multiple sclerosis. This tempo and responsiveness to 5 immunotherapies suggest dysimmune causality. Validated metrics helped define the course and track treatment efficacy, particularly during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Classification of evidence: This is a single observational study without controls. This provides Class IV evidence.