Neuropathic pain among patients with primary knee osteoarthritis: Results of a cross-sectional study from a tertiary care center in Southern India

Background: Pain in knee osteoarthritis (OA) may have a neuropathic component. We used the Douleur Neuropathique in 4 questions (DN4) questionnaire to assess neuropathic pain in knee OA and to identify factors associated with neuropathic pain. Methods: A total of 161 patients with knee OA satisfying...

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Main Authors: R Vignesh Narayan, Molly Mary Thabah, Murali Poduval
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: SAGE Publishing 2017-01-01
Series:Indian Journal of Rheumatology
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Online Access:http://www.indianjrheumatol.com/article.asp?issn=0973-3698;year=2017;volume=12;issue=3;spage=132;epage=138;aulast=Narayan
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author R Vignesh Narayan
Molly Mary Thabah
Murali Poduval
author_facet R Vignesh Narayan
Molly Mary Thabah
Murali Poduval
author_sort R Vignesh Narayan
collection DOAJ
description Background: Pain in knee osteoarthritis (OA) may have a neuropathic component. We used the Douleur Neuropathique in 4 questions (DN4) questionnaire to assess neuropathic pain in knee OA and to identify factors associated with neuropathic pain. Methods: A total of 161 patients with knee OA satisfying the American College of Rheumatology 1986 classification criteria for knee OA were prospectively studied. DN4 questionnaire was administered; a score of ≥4/10 was classified as diagnostic for neuropathic pain. The Indian version of Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) was used to assess pain, stiffness, and physical function. Factors associated with neuropathic pain were explored. Results: Mean age was 55.7 ± 8.8 years. The mean total Indian WOMAC was 75.07 ± 13.8 and WOMAC pain score was 16.1 ± 3.6. Seventy-nine patients of 161 (49%) had DN4 score ≥4 (neuropathic pain present). When diabetics were excluded (n = 58), the proportion of patients with DN4 score ≥4 reduced to 45.6%. The most frequently described pain characteristic was sensation of electric shock (58.4%). Mean total WOMAC and physical function subscale were significantly higher in neuropathic pain group when compared to the group without neuropathic pain (DN4 ≤3), 77.5 ± 11.5 versus 72.6 ± 15.5, P = 0.024 and 54.3 ± 8.8 and 49.8 ± 12.6, respectively, P = 0.008. Conclusions: Neuropathic pain (DN4 ≥4) was seen in up to 49% patients with knee OA. Centrally acting drugs such as tricyclic antidepressants or duloxetine can be used to improve the quality of life and physical function of knee OA patients with neuropathic pain.
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spelling doaj-art-affc2450e0d74355a598c08d4cc4151d2025-02-03T12:03:17ZengSAGE PublishingIndian Journal of Rheumatology0973-36980973-37012017-01-0112313213810.4103/injr.injr_90_16Neuropathic pain among patients with primary knee osteoarthritis: Results of a cross-sectional study from a tertiary care center in Southern IndiaR Vignesh NarayanMolly Mary ThabahMurali PoduvalBackground: Pain in knee osteoarthritis (OA) may have a neuropathic component. We used the Douleur Neuropathique in 4 questions (DN4) questionnaire to assess neuropathic pain in knee OA and to identify factors associated with neuropathic pain. Methods: A total of 161 patients with knee OA satisfying the American College of Rheumatology 1986 classification criteria for knee OA were prospectively studied. DN4 questionnaire was administered; a score of ≥4/10 was classified as diagnostic for neuropathic pain. The Indian version of Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) was used to assess pain, stiffness, and physical function. Factors associated with neuropathic pain were explored. Results: Mean age was 55.7 ± 8.8 years. The mean total Indian WOMAC was 75.07 ± 13.8 and WOMAC pain score was 16.1 ± 3.6. Seventy-nine patients of 161 (49%) had DN4 score ≥4 (neuropathic pain present). When diabetics were excluded (n = 58), the proportion of patients with DN4 score ≥4 reduced to 45.6%. The most frequently described pain characteristic was sensation of electric shock (58.4%). Mean total WOMAC and physical function subscale were significantly higher in neuropathic pain group when compared to the group without neuropathic pain (DN4 ≤3), 77.5 ± 11.5 versus 72.6 ± 15.5, P = 0.024 and 54.3 ± 8.8 and 49.8 ± 12.6, respectively, P = 0.008. Conclusions: Neuropathic pain (DN4 ≥4) was seen in up to 49% patients with knee OA. Centrally acting drugs such as tricyclic antidepressants or duloxetine can be used to improve the quality of life and physical function of knee OA patients with neuropathic pain.http://www.indianjrheumatol.com/article.asp?issn=0973-3698;year=2017;volume=12;issue=3;spage=132;epage=138;aulast=NarayanDouleur Neuropathique in 4 questions questionnaireknee osteoarthritisneuropathic painosteoarthritis
spellingShingle R Vignesh Narayan
Molly Mary Thabah
Murali Poduval
Neuropathic pain among patients with primary knee osteoarthritis: Results of a cross-sectional study from a tertiary care center in Southern India
Indian Journal of Rheumatology
Douleur Neuropathique in 4 questions questionnaire
knee osteoarthritis
neuropathic pain
osteoarthritis
title Neuropathic pain among patients with primary knee osteoarthritis: Results of a cross-sectional study from a tertiary care center in Southern India
title_full Neuropathic pain among patients with primary knee osteoarthritis: Results of a cross-sectional study from a tertiary care center in Southern India
title_fullStr Neuropathic pain among patients with primary knee osteoarthritis: Results of a cross-sectional study from a tertiary care center in Southern India
title_full_unstemmed Neuropathic pain among patients with primary knee osteoarthritis: Results of a cross-sectional study from a tertiary care center in Southern India
title_short Neuropathic pain among patients with primary knee osteoarthritis: Results of a cross-sectional study from a tertiary care center in Southern India
title_sort neuropathic pain among patients with primary knee osteoarthritis results of a cross sectional study from a tertiary care center in southern india
topic Douleur Neuropathique in 4 questions questionnaire
knee osteoarthritis
neuropathic pain
osteoarthritis
url http://www.indianjrheumatol.com/article.asp?issn=0973-3698;year=2017;volume=12;issue=3;spage=132;epage=138;aulast=Narayan
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AT mollymarythabah neuropathicpainamongpatientswithprimarykneeosteoarthritisresultsofacrosssectionalstudyfromatertiarycarecenterinsouthernindia
AT muralipoduval neuropathicpainamongpatientswithprimarykneeosteoarthritisresultsofacrosssectionalstudyfromatertiarycarecenterinsouthernindia