Frequency of neuropathic pain and its impact on functional status in primary knee osteoarthritis patients

Kamel, Shereen R.; Mohammed, Rania M.; Moens, Hend M.; Ibrahim, Radwa S.

doi:10.21608/mjmr.2022.221406

Frequency of neuropathic pain and its impact on functional status in primary knee osteoarthritis patients

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Department of Rheumatology and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Medicine, El-Minia University, Egypt

² Department of Clinical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, El-Minia University, Egypt.

10.21608/mjmr.2022.221406

Abstract

Background: Neuropathic mechanisms are considered to play a role in development of pain in knee
osteoarthritis (OA). Some OA patients developed sensitized central nociceptive circuits that enhance pain
during various states of peripheral tissue insult. Method: 70 patients with primary knee OA were
enrolled in this study. Antero-posterior knee radiographs were done using the Kellgren Lawrence scale.
Pain severity was assessed by Numerical rating scale (NRS), neuropathic pain was assessed by Douleur
Neuropathique en 4 (DN4) questionnaire and functional status was assessed by the Western Ontario and
McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) scale. Results: 52.9% of the patients had
neuropathic pain according to DN4 scale. The mean pain WOMAC score and WOMAC physical function
score were significantly higher in patients with neuropathic pain when compared to patients with nonneuropathic pain; 9.86 ± 2.1 versus 6.79 ± 3.59, P <0.0001 and 44.24 ± 5.43 versus 39.39 ± 10.36, P
=0.015 respectively. DN4 score had a significant positive correlation with WOMAC pain (r=0.459,
P<0.001), stiffness (r=0.258, P=0.031) and physical function (r=0.307, P=0.01). Conclusion: Chronic
pain with OA has neuropathic components. Neuropathic pain is a factor that increases pain and disability
and disrupts functional status in osteoarthritis patients.

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