Screening for neuropathic pain in patients with sickle cell disease: is a single assessment scale sufficient?

Fabricio Dias AntunesEmail author View ORCID ID profile,
Cidson Leonardo Silva Junior,
Karine Santos Cerqueira,
Maira do Livramento Faro and
Rosana Cipolotti

Orphanet Journal of Rare Diseases201914:108

https://doi.org/10.1186/s13023-019-1082-9

Received: 7 December 2018
Accepted: 26 April 2019
Published: 14 May 2019

Abstract

Background

The objectives of this study were to delineate the clinical-epidemiological profile of patients with neuropathic pain (NP) in the groups of SCD patients, from each of the three questionnaires used DN-4, painDETECT - PDQ, LANSS and to compare these three questionnaires in NP evaluation in SCD carriers. This cross-sectional study evaluated 83 patients with symptomatic SCD, aged 14 years or older. Clinical and laboratory data were extracted from the patients’ charts and from information obtained from the patients during the interview before the application of the questionnaire. The calculations were performed using the statistical software Epi InfoTM 7. Pearson’s correlation coefficient was used to compare the neuropathic pain evaluation scales with the software BioEstat 5.3.

Results

The use of two or more questionnaires may increase the suspicion of NP in patients with SCD and, with a confirmed diagnosis, adequate treatments will benefit patients.