Complex regional pain syndromes: clinical characteristics and pathophysiological factors

To study relationship between clinical pattern of complex regional pain syndromes [CRPS] and inflammatory and sympathetic parameters. Twenty one CRPS patients and 15 healthy controls were examined. Clinical data, sympathetic skin response [SSR], TNFalpha and normetanephrine were evaluated. Fourteen patients had increased serum TNFalpha which showed significant relationship with some clinical parameters. Three patients had increased normetanephrine. Mean SSR latency was shortened in patients. No significant relationship between SSR and sweating manifestations and no correlation between serum normetanephrine, SSR, and serum TNFalpha were found. Inflammation plays a major role and SSR is enhanced in CRPS