Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Evaluation of the Semmes–Weinstein filaments and a questionnaire to assess chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Supportive Care in Cancer Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Objective

This study aims to assess the use of Semmes–Weinstein monofilaments (SWMs) and of the Chemotherapy-Induced Neurotoxicity Questionnaire (CINQ) in the detection of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN).

Method

It is a comparative and cross-sectional study performed in a philanthropic general hospital, located in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. One hundred seventeen individuals have participated in this study; they were divided into two groups: patients (n = 87) treated with oxaliplatin, paclitaxel, or docetaxel and controls (n = 30) without malignant disease.

Results

There were statistically significant differences between groups for all symptoms assessed by means of the CINQ. Lower limbs were more severely affected. Patients had increased frequency and severity of changes in all points assessed with SWM compared with controls. In the analyses of concordance between CINQ and SWM, kappa = 0.320 (p < 0.001) was obtained, and there was a moderate and positive correlation (ρ = 0.357; p < 0.001).

Conclusion

CINQ and SWM may be valid tools for diagnosing CIPN in oncology practice. SWM may identify subclinical CIPN.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Marrs J, Newton S (2010) Updating your peripheral neuropathy “know-how”. Clin J Oncol Nurs 7(3):299–303

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Bakitas MA (2007) Background noise: the experience of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy. Nurs Res 56(5):323–331

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Winer EP, Berry DA, Woolf S et al (2004) Failure of higher-dose paclitaxel to improve outcome in patients with metastatic breast cancer: cancer and leukemia group B trial. J Clin Oncol 22:2061–2068

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Visovisky C, Collins M, Abbot L, Aschenbrenner J, Hart C (2007) Evidence-based interventions for chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy. Clin J Oncol Nurs 11(6):911–913

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Kwak MK, Kim ER, Kwon I, Hwang MS (2010) Characteristics and quality of life in pacients with chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy. J Korean Oncol Nurs 10(2):231–239

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Wilson R, Lehky T, Thommas RR, Quinn MG, Floetter MK, Grem JL (2002) Acute oxaliplatin-induced peripheral nerve hyperexcitability. J Clin Oncol 20(7):1767–1774

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Smith EML, Beck SL, Cohen J (2008) The total neuropathy score: a tool for measuring chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy. Oncol Nurs Forum 35(1):96–102

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Visovisky C, Meyer RR, Roller J, Poppas M (2008) Evaluation and management of peripheral neuropathy in diabetic patients with cancer. Clin J Oncol Nurs 12(2):243–247

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Wickham R (2007) Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy: a review and implication for oncology nursing practice. Clin J Oncol Nurs 11(3):361–376

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Binner M, Ross D, Browner I (2011) Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy: assessment of oncology nurses’ knowledge and practice. Oncol Nurs Forum 38(4):448–454

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Garbino JA (1998) Abordagem clínica e eletrofisiológica em neuropatias periféricas. Acta Fisiatrica 5(1):11–17

    Google Scholar 

  12. Cavaletti G, Frigeni B, Lanzani F, Piatti M, Rota S, Briani C, Zara G et al (2007) The Total Neuropathy Score as an assessment tool for grading the course of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neurotoxicity: comparison with the National Cancer Institute-Common Toxicity Scale. J Peripher Nerv Syst 12(3):210–215

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. National Cancer Institute. Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE). 2009. http://ctep.cancer.gov/protocolDevelopment/electronic_applications/ctc.htm#ctc_40>

  14. Simao DAS, Lima ERP, Souza RS, Alves KR, Maia WM (2012) Instrumentos de avaliação da neuropatia periférica induzida por quimioterapia—revisão integrativa e implicações para a prática de enfermagem oncológica. Rev Min Enferm 16(4):601–608

    Google Scholar 

  15. Cella D, Peterman A, Hudgens S, Webster K, Socinski MA (2003) Measuring the side effect of taxane therapy in oncology. Cancer 98:822–831

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Huang HQ, Brady MF, Cella D, Fleming G (2007) Validation and reduction of FACT/GOG-Ntx subscale for platinum/paclitaxel-induced neurologic symptoms: a gynecologic oncology group study. Int J Gynecol Cancer 17(2):387–393

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Postma TJ, Aaronson NK, Heimans JJ, Muller MJ, Hildebrand JG, Delattre JY, Hoang-Xuan K, Lantéri-Minet M, Grant R, Huddart R, Moynihan C, Maher J, Lucey R, EORTC Quality of Life Group (2005) The development of an EORTC quality of life questionnaire to assess chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy: the QLQ-CIPN20. Eur J Cancer 41(8):1135–1139

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Leonard GD, Wright MA, Quinn MG et al (2005) Survey of oxaliplatin-associated neurotoxicity using an interview-based questionnaire in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer. BMC Cancer 5:116–125

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Smith EM, Cohen JA, Pett MA, Beck SL (2010) The reliability and validity of a modified Total Neuropathy Score—reduced and neuropathic pain severity items when used to measure chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy in pacients receiving taxanes and platinums. Cancer Nurs 33(3):173–183

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Shimozuma K, Ohashi Y, Takeuchi A, Aranish T, Morita S, Kuroi K et al (2009) Feasibility and validity of the Patient Neurotoxicity Questionnaire during taxane chemotherapy in a phase III randomized trial in patients with breast cancer: N-SAS BC 02. Support Care Cancer 17(12):1483–1491

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Tofthagen CS, McMillan SC, Kip KE (2011) Development and psychometric evaluation of the chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy assessment tool. Cancer Nurs 34(4):10–20

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. Lavoie Smith EM, Cohen JA, Pett MA, Beck SL (2011) The validity of neuropathy and neuropathic pain measures in patients with cancer receiving taxanes and platinums. Oncol Nurs Forum 38(2):133–142

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. Kautio AL, Haanpää M, Kautiainen H, Leminen A, Kalso E, Saarto T (2011) Oxaliplatin scale and National Cancer Institute-Common Toxicity Criteria in the assessment of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy. Anticancer Res 31(10):3493–3496

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. Driessen CM, de Kleine-Bolt KM, Vingerhoets AJ, Mols F, Vreugdenhil G (2012) Assessing the impact of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neurotoxicity on the quality of life of cancer patients: the introduction of a new measure. Support Care Cancer 20:877–881

    Article  CAS  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. Neumann CR, Schimid H. Polineuropatia do (1999) Diabetes Mellitus—Caracterização clínica e padronização dos testes autonômicos e Somáticos. [tese de doutorado]. Porto Alegre (RS): Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul. 171p

  26. Bell-Krotoski JA (1984) Semmes-Weistein monofilament testing for determining cutaneous light touch/deep pressure sensation. Star 44(2):8–11

    Google Scholar 

  27. Cavaletti GDR, Cornblath ISJ, Merkies TJ, Postma E, Rossi B, Frigeni B et al (2013) The chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy outcome measures standardization study: from consensus to the first validity and reliability findings. Ann Oncol 24(2):454–462

    Article  CAS  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  28. Oken MM, Creech RH, Tormey DC, Horton J, Davis TE, McFadden ET et al (1982) Toxicity and response criteria of the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group. Am J Clin Oncol 5(6):649–655

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  29. Ministério da Saúde (BR). Manual de prevenção de incapacidades. Brasília (DF): Secretaria de Vigilância em Saúde; Ministério da Saúde; 2008. 140 p

  30. Lehman LF, Orsini MB, Nicholl AR (1993) The development and adaptation of the Semmes Weinstein monofilaments in Brazil. J Hand Ther 6(4):290–297

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  31. Velasco R, Bruna J (2010) Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy: an unresolved issue. Neurologia 25(2):116–131

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  32. Yadav N, Philip FA, Gogia V, Choudhary P, Rana SP et al (2010) Radio frequency ablation in drug resistant chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy: a case report and review of literature. Indian J Palliat Care 16:48–51

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  33. Visovsky C, Daly BJ (2004) Clinical evaluation and patterns of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy. J Am Acad Nurse Pract 16(8):353–359

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  34. Bell-Krotoski JA (1991) Advances in sensibility evaluation. Hand Clin 7(3):527–546

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

The authors thank all volunteers for their participation in the study and Dr. Izabela Barbosa for her helpful comments on the manuscript. This study was partly funded by CNPq and FAPEMIG, Brazil.

Conflict of interest

None

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, Brazil

    Delma Aurélia da Silva Simão & Raissa Silva Souza

  2. FAMINAS College, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil

    Delma Aurélia da Silva Simão

  3. School of Medicine, Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil

    Antônio Lúcio Teixeira

  4. New York University, New York, NY, USA

    Elenice Dias Ribeiro de Paula Lima

  5. School of Nursing, Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil

    Elenice Dias Ribeiro de Paula Lima

  6. Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Medical Investigation, Room 281, School of Medicine, Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), Avenida Professor Alfredo Balena, 190. Santa Efigênia, Belo Horizonte, MG, 30130-100, Brazil

    Delma Aurélia da Silva Simão

Authors
  1. Delma Aurélia da Silva Simão
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Antônio Lúcio Teixeira
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Raissa Silva Souza
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Elenice Dias Ribeiro de Paula Lima
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Delma Aurélia da Silva Simão.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

da Silva Simão, D.A., Teixeira, A.L., Souza, R.S. et al. Evaluation of the Semmes–Weinstein filaments and a questionnaire to assess chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy. Support Care Cancer 22, 2767–2773 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-014-2275-3

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-014-2275-3

Keywords

Search

Navigation