The neuropathic pain component among patients with chronic low back-radicular pain

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Sivas, Filiz^* | Uzun, Özlem | Başkan, Bedriye | Bodur, Hatice

Affiliations: Ankara Numune Education and Research Hospital, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Clinics, Ankara, Turkey

Correspondence: [*] Corresponding author: Filiz Sivas, 380 Sok. 2/9 Çankaya, 06610 Ankara, Turkey. E-mail: filiz_sivas@yahoo.com.

Abstract: OBJECTIVES: Determining neuropathic pain component (NPC) among patients with chronic low back pain-radicular pain (CLBP-RP) and the adjustment between scales of neuropathic pain. MATERIAL-METHODS: One hundred and one patients with CLBP-RP were included in the study. The severity of CLBP-RP was evaluated by visual analogue scale (VAS). The Douleur Neuropathique 4 Questions (DN4) and Leeds Assessment of Neuropathic Symptoms and Signs Scales (LANSS) were used to evaluate the NPC. RESULTS:The mean score of CLBP-RP assessed by VAS was 80 mm. NPC was detected a rate of 65.3% by DN4 and 40.6% by LANSS. NPC was 75.4% in females and 47.2% in males according to DN4, and 52.3% in females and 19.4% in males according to LANSS. The female gender, occupation, and VAS scores were determined to be significant factors contributing to presence of NPC according to logistic regression analyses (p< 0.01, p< 0.05, p< 0.05). A medium degree accordance was established between DN4 and LANSS scales according to kappa coefficient (Kappa = 0.532, p< 0.05). CONCLUSION: CLBP is among the diseases causing mixed type pain accompanied by nociceptive and neuropathic pain. NPC was detected in a considerable part of patients with radicular pain. Identifying the character of radicular pain is significant to develop proper management strategies.

Keywords: Low back-radicular pain, neuropathic pain, LANSS, DN4

DOI: 10.3233/BMR-160786

Journal: Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation, vol. 31, no. 5, pp. 939-946, 2018