Neuropathic Pain Frequency in Neurology Outpatients: A Multicenter Study
Makaleler > Tam Makale · 2021
Yazarlar: Can Ebru Bekircan-Kurt, Berin Inan, Onur Bulut, Ihsan Sengun, Necdet Karli, Hafize Nalan Gunes, Burcu Gokce Cokal, Selda Keskin, Tahir Yoldas, Duygu Guner Ozcanyuz, Filiz Koc, Zeynep Unluturk, Cagdas Erdogan, Burhanettin ULUDAĞ, Cavit Boz, Melih Tutuncu, Mehmet Ali Akalin, Ozden Kamisli, Abdulcemal Ozcan, Pinar Kahraman-Koytak, Kayihan Uluc, Sevim Erdem-Ozdamar, Ersin Tan
Archives of Neuropsychiatry, Uluslararası, Scopus, 2021, cilt 58, ss 257-260
DOI: 10.29399/npa.27549
Özet
INTRODUCTION: Neuropathic pain is common, but the frequency of misdiagnosis and irrational treatment is high. The aim of this study is to evaluate the rate of neuropathic pain in neurology outpatient clinics by using valid and reliable scales and review the treatments of patients. METHODS: The study was conducted for 3 months in eleven tertiary health care facilities. All outpatients were asked about neuropathic pain symptoms. Patients with previous neuropathic pain diagnosis or who have neuropathic pain symptoms were included and asked to fill painDETECT and douleur neuropathic en 4 questions (DN4) questionnaire. Patients whose DN4 score is higher than 3 and/or painDETECT score higher than 13 and/or who are on drugs for neuropathic pain were considered patients with neuropathic pain. The frequency of neuropathic pain was calculated and the treatments of patients with neuropathic pain were recorded. RESULTS: Neuropathic pain frequency was 2.7% (95% CI: 1.5-4.9). The most common cause was diabetic neuropathy. According to painDETECT, the mean overall pain intensity was 5.7±2.4, being lower among patients receiving treatment. Pharmacological neuropathic pain treatment was used by 72.8% of patients and the most common drug was pregabalin. However, 70% of those receiving gabapentinoids were using ineffective doses. Besides, 4.6% of the patients were on medications which are not listed in neuropathic pain treatment guidelines. CONCLUSION: In our cohort, the neuropathic pain severity was moderate and the frequency was lower than the literature. Although there are many guidelines, high proportion of patients were being treated by ineffective dosages or irrational treatments.