title: Incidence of complex regional pain syndrome type I after fractures of the distal radius.
abstract: Aim of this study was to analyse the incidence CRPS-I after a fracture of the distal radius and to analyse risk factors. Patients who visited the Emergency Unit of the University Hospital, with a fracture of distal radius were asked to participate. As risk factors for CRPS-I, number of repositions (with or without local anaesthesia), additional cast changes and pain during the cast period, were assessed. In a structured interview social life events (SLEs) and psychological and/or psychiatric history were assessed. The patients filled out the Symptom Checklist-90 (SCL-90). In total 88 patients participated in the study. One female (1%, 95% CI: 0.2 to 6%), age 69 years with the following characteristics developed CRPS-I: one set of local anaesthetics, one repositioning attempt, no additional cast changes, average pain scores, no life events and her total score on the SCL-90 of 117, was slightly above average. Based on the results of this study it is concluded that the incidence of CRPS-I may be low (1%, 95% CI: 0.2 to 6%) after fractures of the distal radius. Further the risk factors described in literature play a minor role in the development of CRPS-I.
authors.affiliation: Department of Rehabilitation, University Hospital Groningen, PO Box 30.001, 9700 RB, Groningen, The Netherlands. p.u.dijkstra@rev.azg.nl
authors.forename: Pieter U
authors.initials: PU
authors.lastname: Dijkstra
authors.forename: Johan W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Groothoff
authors.forename: Henk Jan
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: ten Duis
authors.forename: Jan H B
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Geertzen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002370:Casts, Surgical / Q000009:adverse effects; D004121:Dimethyl Sulfoxide / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009426:Netherlands / Q000453:epidemiology; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology; D011885:Radius Fractures / Q000150:complications*; D020127:Recovery of Function / Q000187:drug effects; D012019:Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D004121:Dimethyl Sulfoxide