Neuropathic pain in people treated for multibacillary leprosy more than ten years previously.
OBJECTIVE
To identify patients with typical symptoms of neuropathic pain in a well-defined cohort of multibacillary patients being followed up as part of a relapse study in Ethiopia; to identify risk factors for the development of neuropathic pain.


METHODS
96 patients who had completed MDT more than 10 years previously participated in the study, through a questionnaire.


RESULTS
28 (29%) had symptoms of neuropathic pain and it was reported as severe in 12. Because the past history of these subjects is well documented, a risk factor analysis was carried out. The presence of leprosy-related impairment was the only significant risk factor for neuropathic pain that was identified.


CONCLUSIONS
Neuropathic pain is an important problem in a proportion of people previously treated for leprosy. Further research into the management of the condition is required.
Saunderson
Paul
P
American Leprosy Missions, Greenville, SC 29601, USA. psaunderson@leprosy.org
Bizuneh
Elizabeth
E
Leekassa
Ruth
R
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005002:Ethiopia; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007917:Leprostatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007918:Leprosy / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010523:Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012008:Recurrence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult
D007917:Leprostatic Agents