Reduced intraepidermal nerve fibre density in lesional and nonlesional prurigo nodularis skin as a potential sign of subclinical cutaneous neuropathy

Abstract

Hypoplasia of epidermal sensory nerves independently of clinical parameters is a new finding in PN and suggests involvement of epidermal nerves in PN pathophysiology. To date, it cannot be ruled out that reduced IENF density is due to repeated scratching. However, the presence of hypoplasia in nonlesional PN skin suggests the presence of a subclinical small fibre neuropathy.