Vasculitic neuropathies (VN) are a group of disorders resulting from inflammation of predominantly small vessels with destruction of their walls and subsequent ischemic damage of peripheral nerves. Neural damage may or may not coexist with the damage of other organs. Examples of conditions associated with VN include diabetes, microscopic polyangiitis, eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (Churg-Strauss), granulomatosis with polyangiitis (Wegener's), rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus and others. VN is painful in about 80% of patients of whom 40% suffer from the pain intractable with pharmacological therapy. Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) is a noninvasive method of modulation of brain plasticity. In this method, series of magnetic stimuli are delivered to the cerebral cortex, where they turn to electric current and depolarize repetitively the targeted neurons. If the stimulation is repeated during subsequent days it is capable to modify the activity of targeted cortical area for weeks or even months and by this way to achieve therapeutic effect. rTMS is widely regarded as one of alternative methods to alleviate pain associated with various kind of neuropathies. The purpose of this study is to compare the effectiveness of analgesic effect of rTMS in vasculitic neuropathy with sham stimulation.
Vasculitic neuropathy (VN) results from inflammation and destruction of the walls of predominantly small vessels with subsequent ischemic damage of peripheral nerves. VN is painful in vast majority of patients and the pain is intractable with pharmacotherapy in about 40% of cases. Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) is a noninvasive method of modulation of brain plasticity and is regarded as one of alternative methods to alleviate pain associated with various kind of neuropathies. The purpose of this study is to compare the effectiveness of analgesic effect of rTMS in vasculitic neuropathy with sham stimulation.