Neuropathic pain in Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the frequency and extent to which subjects with Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disease report pain and to compare qualities of pain in CMT to other painful neuropathic conditions.


METHODS
Descriptive, nonexperimental survey, using a previously validated measurement tool, the Neuropathic Pain Scale (NPS).


METHODS
Participants were recruited from the membership roster of a worldwide CMT support organization.


METHODS
NPS pain descriptors reported in CMT were compared with those reported by subjects with postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), complex regional pain syndrome, type 1 (CRPS-1), also known as reflex sympathetic dystrophy, diabetic neuropathy (DN), and peripheral nerve injury (PNI).


RESULTS
Of 617 CMT subjects (40% response rate), 440 (71%) reported pain. with the most severe pain sites noted as low back (70%), knees (53%), ankles (50%), toes (46%), and feet (44%). Of this group, 171 (39%) reported interruption of activities of daily living by pain; 168 (38%) used non-narcotic pain medication and 113 (23%) used narcotics and/or benzodiazepines for pain. The use of pain description was similar for CMT, PHN, CRPS-1, DN, and PNI in terms of intensity and the descriptors hot, dull, and deep.


CONCLUSIONS
Neuropathic pain is a significant problem for many people with CMT. The frequency and intensity of pain reported in CMT is comparable in many ways to PHN, CRPS-1, DN. and PNI. Further studies are needed to examine possible pain generators and pharmacologic and rehabilitative modalities to treat pain in CMT.
Carter
G T
GT
Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, USA.
Jensen
M P
MP
Galer
B S
BS
Kraft
G H
GH
Crabtree
L D
LD
Beardsley
R M
RM
Abresch
R T
RT
Bird
T D
TD
D002607:Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease / Q000150:complications*; D003929:Diabetic Neuropathies / Q000150:complications; D016002:Discriminant Analysis; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006562:Herpes Zoster / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009437:Neuralgia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D059348:Peripheral Nerve Injuries; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012019:Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy / Q000150:complications; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires