DG Journal Club
STUDY DESIGN A cross-sectional study.
OBJECTIVE The present study aimed to investigate the prevalence of neuropathic pain (NeP) in subjects suffering from neck and shoulder pain (NSP) to reveal the impact of NeP on the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in middle-aged and elderly people with NSP in a health checkup.
SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA No previous studies have established the relationship between NSP and NeP as potential risk factors contributing to a decreased quality of life (QOL) in the general population.
METHODS The present study involved 203 participants (men: 84, women: 119; mean age: 63.3 years). For each subject, anthropometric measurements, physical function examinations, and blood testing were performed. A cut-off score of ≥0 on the short-form Spine painDETECT questionnaire (SF-SPDQ) defined the presence of NeP. Subsequently, the NSP (+) subjects were divided into two sub-groups: the NeP (+) and NeP (-) groups. For the assessment of QOL, the Medical Outcomes Study 36-item short-form health survey (SF-36) and the EuroQol 5 dimension 5 level version (EQ-5D-5L) tool were used.
RESULTS The study included 100 NSP (+) and 103 NSP (-) subjects. Among the NSP (+) subjects, 46 and 54 subjects were found to be NeP (+) and NeP (-), respectively. For SF-36, the multivariate regression analysis revealed that the prevalence of NeP was associated with a lower physical QOL (odds ratio [OR] 3.56) and lower mental QOL (OR 4.04). Similarly, the NeP prevalence was found to be the predictor for low QOL scores in EQ-5D-5L (EQ-5D-5L index value<0.875; OR, 3.61).
CONCLUSIONS The prevalence of NeP was reported to be 46.0% in healthy middle-aged and elderly population suffering from NSP, where it was associated with poor HRQOL. Therefore, strategies aimed at alleviating NeP may contribute significantly to the improvement of QOL in middle-aged and elderly people with NSP.Level of Evidence: 2.
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