The prevalence of neuropathic pain after non-traumatic spinal cord lesion.
METHODS
Retrospective register study.


OBJECTIVE
To investigate the predictive value of the following parameters for the development of neuropathic pain after non-traumatic spinal cord lesion: that is age at onset of spinal cord disease, gender, completeness of lesion, level of lesion, and aetiology.


METHODS
A unit for patients with post-acute traumatic and non-traumatic spinal cord lesions in the greater area of Stockholm, Sweden.


METHODS
All patients with non-traumatic spinal cord lesions visiting the unit between 1995 and 2000 were classified according to the following: that is neuropathic pain at or below lesion level according to IASP criteria, age at time of the onset of the spinal cord symptoms, injury level, complete/incomplete injury, and aetiology. Results were analysed with chi(2) - analysis and logistic regression.


RESULTS
In total, 38% had neuropathic pain, 15% had pain predominantly at the level of lesion, and 23% predominantly below the level of lesion. Of those with pain, 67% reported that the pain affected daily life. Women reported neuropathic pain below the level of lesion more often (40%) than men (13%). The prevalence was particularly high (64%) for patients with malignant spinal cord diseases. Neither age at onset of the spinal cord symptoms, nor complete/incomplete injury nor injury level had significant influence on the prevalence.


CONCLUSIONS
Neuropathic pain is common among patients with acquired non-traumatic spinal cord lesions regardless of aetiology, often causing severe problems in daily life.
Werhagen
L
L
Spinalis/Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
Hultling
C
C
Molander
C
C
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009437:Neuralgia / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015995:Prevalence; D012042:Registries; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000379:methods*; D012307:Risk Factors; D013118:Spinal Cord Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000145:classification / Q000453:epidemiology*; D013122:Spinal Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D013548:Sweden / Q000453:epidemiology