Peripheral Neuropathies in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: Clinical Features, Disease Associations, and Immunologic Characteristics Evaluated Over a Twenty‐Five–Year Study Period

Our findings indicate that small-fiber neuropathy is a frequently occurring peripheral neuropathy. The skin biopsy findings in small-fiber neuropathy patients support the notion that distinct mechanisms target the dorsal root ganglia as well as distal axons. SLE patients with peripheral neuropathy have lower mean disease activity scores and higher disease damage. Our findings suggest that revision of the ACR NPSLE case definitions, which currently do not include small-fiber neuropathies, is warranted.