Neuropathic pain in patients with sickle cell disease. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2014 Mar;61(3):512-7
Date
10/30/2013Pubmed ID
24167104Pubmed Central ID
PMC4357477DOI
10.1002/pbc.24838Scopus ID
2-s2.0-84892498517 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 75 CitationsAbstract
BACKGROUND: Despite the suggestion of a neuropathic component to sickle cell disease (SCD) pain, there are minimal data on the systematic assessment of neuropathic pain in patients with SCD. Neuropathic pain is defined as pain primarily initiated by dysfunction of the peripheral or central nervous system.
PROCEDURE: In a cross-sectional study, we used the painDETECT questionnaire, a one-page validated neuropathic pain screening tool, to determine the presence of neuropathic pain in patients with SCD and to evaluate the relationship between neuropathic pain, age, and gender. We hypothesized that 20% of patients with SCD will experience neuropathic pain and that neuropathic pain will be associated with older age and female gender. The completed painDETECT questionnaire yields a total score between 0 and 38 (≥ 19 = definite neuropathic pain, 13-18 = probable neuropathic pain, ≤ 12 = no neuropathic pain). Scores ≥ 13 were designated as having evidence of neuropathic pain.
RESULTS: A total of 56 patients participated. Median age was 20.3 years and 77% were female. We found 37% of patients had evidence of neuropathic pain. Age was positively correlated with total score (r = 0.43; P = 0.001) suggesting older patients experience more neuropathic pain. Females had higher mean total scores (13 vs. 8.4; P = 0.04). Significantly more patients with neuropathic pain were taking hydroxyurea (90% vs. 59%; P = 0.015). Despite 37% of patients experiencing neuropathic pain, only 5% were taking a neuropathic pain drug.
CONCLUSIONS: Neuropathic pain exists in SCD. Valid screening tools can identify patients that would benefit from existing and future neuropathic pain therapies and could determine the impact of these therapies.
Author List
Brandow AM, Farley RA, Panepinto JAAuthor
Amanda Brandow DO Professor in the Pediatrics department at Medical College of WisconsinMESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
AdolescentAdult
Age Factors
Anemia, Sickle Cell
Cross-Sectional Studies
Female
Humans
Hydroxyurea
Male
Neuralgia
Sex Factors
Surveys and Questionnaires
