PhD Defence Aysun Damci

Keywords: Small fiber neuropathy, biopsychosocial perspective, chronic pain 
 

"Biopsychosocial perspective of small fiber neuropathy"

Small fiber neuropathy (SFN) is a chronic pain condition, in which the small nerve fibers are damaged. An underlying cause could be found in nearly 50%. If no underlying cause is found, it is called idiopathic SFN. The current treatment is based on pain, with insufficient effects. In other chronic pain conditions, a biopsychosocial perspective is used. Therefore, the goal of this dissertation was to investigate the biopsychosocial perspectives of SFN, to develop a sufficient treatment model. It seems that SFN patients are unique, experiencing a lot of incomprehension by healthcare workers, family, friends, and co-workers. It seems that 1/3 of the patients experience anxious and/or depressive symptoms. All biopsychosocial factors fluctuate throughout a day. Experienced Sampling Method made it possible to investigate the influences of these biopsychosocial factors. With all mentioned results, it was possible to develop a treatment protocol.  

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