Prevalence of Neuropathic Pain in Patients with Traumatic Brachial Plexus Injury: A Multicenter Prospective Hospital-Based Study.
OBJECTIVE
Prevalence and clinical characteristics of neuropathic pain due to traumatic brachial plexus injury.


METHODS
Observational epidemiological study.


METHODS
Hospital-based multicenter study.


METHODS
One hundred seven prospectively enrolled patients with brachial plexus injury.


METHODS
All the patients underwent clinical examination and neurophysiological testing for a definitive diagnosis of the brachial plexus lesion. The DN4 questionnaire was used to identify neuropathic pain, and the Neuropathic Pain Symptom Inventory (NPSI) to evaluate the different symptoms of neuropathic pain. The SF36 questionnaire and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) were used to assess quality of life and mood disturbances in patients with neuropathic pain.


RESULTS
Of the 107 enrolled patients, 74 had pain (69%); neuropathic pain, as assessed by means of the DN4, was identified in 60 (56%) of these patients. According to the NPSI, the most frequent and severe pain type was the spontaneous burning pain. Clinical and neurophysiological findings showed that pain is unrelated to age but is associated with the severity of peripheral nerve damage. The SF36 questionnaire and BDI showed that neuropathic pain impairs quality of life and causes depression.


CONCLUSIONS
Our study provides information on the prevalence, characteristics, and variables associated with neuropathic pain due to traumatic brachial plexus injuries that might provide a basis for improving the clinical management of this condition.
Clinical Neurophysiology, Neuroscience Department, AOU Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, Torino, Italy.
Palma
P
Ciaramitaro
Institute of Neurology, Catholic University, Rome, Italy.|Don Carlo Gnocchi Onlus Foundation, Italy.
Luca
L
Padua
AOU S. Maria della Misericordia, UOC Neurologia, Udine, Italy.
Grazia
G
Devigili
Presidio Ospedaliero di Piacenza, UOC Neurologia, Piacenza, Italy.
Eugenia
E
Rota
Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Verona, Italy.
Stefano
S
Tamburin
AOU S. Maria della Misericordia, UOC Neurologia, Udine, Italy.
Roberto
R
Eleopra
Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Verona, Italy.
Giorgio
G
Cruccu
Department of Neurology and Psychiatry, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy.
Andrea
A
Truini
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001917:Brachial Plexus / Q000293:injuries; D020516:Brachial Plexus Neuropathies / Q000150:complications*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009437:Neuralgia / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology*; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
Brachial Plexopathy; DN4; NPSI; Neuropathic Pain