Síntomas subagudos y crónicos de la fiebre de chikungunya en un grupo de personas adultas en Ibagué, Colombia / Subacute and chronic symptoms of chikungunya fever in a group of adults in Colombia

Resumen Introducción. La fiebre de chikungunya en Colombia ocasiona una alerta en salud pública que se extiende en el tiempo, dadas las características subagudas y crónicas de la enfermedad. Objetivo. Describir los síntomas subagudos y crónicos en personas mayores de 18 años con fiebre de chikungunya en Ibagué, Colombia. Materiales y métodos. Se hizo un estudio descriptivo con muestreo en bola de nieve de 368 adultos de todas las comunas de Ibagué que presentaban síntomas de la fiebre de chikungunya de más de 12 días de duración. Resultados. Las articulaciones que presentaban dolor en la fase subaguda y crónica de la enfermedad fueron las de manos (84,2 %), rodillas (72,8 %) y tobillos (69,3 %); además de las articulaciones, la planta de los pies fue el sitio en que más frecuentemente se presentó dolor (48,8 %). El dolor articular en manos (p=0,017) y tobillos (p=0,001) y el dolor en la planta de los pies (p=0,002) fueron significativos en las mujeres. La fatiga o el cansancio generalizado se presentaron en el 58,9 % de las personas y se prolongó por más de un año en el 2,4 % de ellas. Conclusiones. Los síntomas de la fase subaguda y crónica de la fiebre de chikungunya coincidieron con los descritos en la literatura médica, su duración se extendió hasta por un año o más en algunos de los casos y su intensidad disminuyó con el tiempo. Los síntomas referidos fueron más comunes en las mujeres que en los hombres.

Abstract Introduction: In Colombia, chikungunya fever creates a warning in public health that extends over time given the subacute and chronic characteristics of the disease. Objective: To describe subacute and chronic symptoms in adult people who suffered chikungunya fever in the city of Ibagué, Colombia. Materials and methods: We conducted a descriptive study with snowball sampling in 368 adults from all the communes of Ibagué, Colombia, who had symptoms of chikungunya fever spanning for more than 12 days. Results: The joints that showed the greatest pain in the subacute and chronic phase of the disease were the hands with 84.2%, knees with 72.8%, and ankles with 69.3%. The soles of the feet were the non-articular areas with greater frequency of pain (48.8%). Joint pain in the hands (p=0.017) and ankles (p=0.001) and pain in the soles of the feet (p=0.002) were significant in women. General fatigue occurred in 58.9% of the subjects and in 2.4% of the population, it lasted for more than a year. Conclusions: The symptoms of the subacute and chronic phase of chikungunya fever were the same reported in the literature, they lasted up to a year or more, and decreased in intensity over time. The referred symptoms were more common in women than in men.

Varicela y herpes zóster: retos para la salud pública / Varicella and herpes zoster: challenges for public health

Resumen: Objetivo: Evaluar el comportamiento epidemiológico de la varicela y el herpes zoster (HZ) para determinar políticas de salud y disminuir prevalencia y complicaciones. Material y métodos: La frecuencia de casos se estimó con datos del Sistema Único de Información para la Vigilancia Epidemiológica (SUIVE), periodo 2000-2013; para los egresos hospitalarios de varicela y HZ, se utilizaron datos del Sistema Nacional de Información en Salud (Sinais). Resultados: El promedio de casos de varicela anual fue 296 733, 57% menores de 9 años, la mayoría de marzo a mayo; de 2004 a 2012 los egresos hospitalarios de varicela fueron 17 398, de ellos 4.6% presentó meningoecefalitis, 2.5% neumonía y 18% otras complicaciones. Por herpes zoster 7 042 egresos, más afectados de 65 años o más, 1.3:1 la relación mujer:hombre. Las complicaciones: neuralgia (11%), afección ocular (7%), meningoencefalitis (5.4%), enfermedad diseminada (2.8%) y otras (5.4%); estancia hospitalaria entre 6.4 a 13.3 días. Conclusiones: Los datos coinciden con los de la literatura de otros países. Se discute el papel de la vacunación en la prevención de la infección en niños y adultos.

Abstract: Objective: To evaluate the epidemiological behavior of varicella and herpes zoster (HZ) to determine the need of health policies to diminish prevalence and avoid complications. Materials and methods: To assess frequency, we analyzed data from the National Information System for Epidemiological Surveillance (SUIVE) from 2000 to 2013; to assess the discharge data of varicella and HZ, we evaluated information from the National System of health information (Sinais). Results: The average annual cases of chickenpox were 296 733, 57% mostly children under 9 years, most of them from March to May. From 2004 to 2012 hospital discharge of varicella were 17 398, of which 4.6% had meningoecephalitis, 2.5% pneumonia and 18% other complications. For herpes zoster 7 042 discharges, mostly affected were patients 65 years or older, 1.3:1 the woman-man relationship. Main complications were: neuralgia (11%), eye involvement (7%), meningoencephalitis (5.4%), disseminated disease (2.8%) and others (5.4%); hospital stay was between 6.4 and 13.3 days. Conclusions: Data is consistent with that of the literature in other countries. The role of vaccination to prevent infection in children and adults is discussed.

High prevalence of neuropathic pain in the hand of patients with traumatic brachial plexus injury: a cross-sectional study / Alta prevalência de dor neuropática em sujeitos com lesão traumática do plexo braquial: um estudo de corte transversal

ABSTRACT Objective To describe the pain profile of patients with traumatic brachial plexus injury. Methods We enrolled 65 patients with traumatic brachial plexus injury. The Douleur Neuropathique 4 questionnaire was used to classify pain and the SF-36 was used to evaluate quality of life. Results The patients with traumatic brachial plexus injury were predominantly young male victims of motorcycle accidents. Pain was present in 75.4% of the individuals and 79% presented with neuropathic pain, mostly located in the hands (30.41%). The use of auxiliary devices (p = 0.05) and marital status (p = 0.03) were both independent predictors of pain. Pain also impacted negatively on the quality of life (p = 0.001). Conclusions Pain is frequent in patients with traumatic brachial plexus injury. Despite the peripheral nervous system injury, nociceptive pain is not unusual. Pain evaluation, including validated instruments, is essential to guide optimal clinical management of patients with the condition.

RESUMO Objetivo Descrever o perfil de dor de sujeitos com lesão traumática do plexo braquial. Métodos Nós incluímos 65 indivíduos com lesão traumática do plexo braquial. O Douleur Neuropathique 4 foi usado para classificar a dor e o SF-36 foi usado para avaliar a qualidade de vida. Resultados Sujeitos com lesão traumática do plexo braquial eram em sua maioria homens jovens, vítimas de acidentes motociclísticos. A dor esteve presete em 75.4% dos indivíduos e 79% deles apresentaram dor neuropática, mais frequentemente localizada nas mãos (30.41%). O uso de dispositivos auxiliares (p = 0.05) e o estado civil foram, ambos, preditores independentes de dor. A dor ainda impactou negativamente da qualidade de vida (p = 0.001). Conclusões A dor é frequente em sujeitos com lesão traumática do plexo braquial. Apesar de envolver uma lesão do sistema nervoso a dor nociceptiva não é infrequente. A avaliação da dor, incluindo instrumentos validados, é essencial para direcionar as condutas clínicas de sujeitos com esta condição.

Sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of patients with diabetic foot ulcer / Características sociodemográficas e clínicas de doentes com pé diabético

Summary Introduction: Diabetic foot is one of the most serious complications of diabetes affecting about 15% of all diabetes patients, and it is the leading cause of nontraumatic lower limb amputations. This study presents a sociodemographic and clinical characterization of patients with diabetic foot ulcer indicated for amputation surgery. Methods: A cross-sectional study with 206 patients with type 2 diabetes and a diabetic foot ulcer indicated for amputation surgery. Patients were assessed on sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, pain intensity and pain interference, after answering the Brief Pain Inventory, and on pain descriptors according to the Douleur Neuropathique 4. Results: Most patients were male, with little formal education and a mean age of 66 years. They had been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes for 18 years in average, and diagnosed with diabetic foot ulcer in average 3 years prior to the assessment. About 59% of patients experienced pain in the lower limb that significantly interfered with all areas of their functioning. Conclusion: The social demographic variables play an important role in diabetic foot ulceration. Given that the neuropathic ulcers are more easily preventable, systematic monitoring of patients with neuropathy is important. In patients with neuroischemic foot, strategies to cope or manage more efficiently the pain are paramount. Intervention should be multidisciplinary and take into account sociodemographic and clinical factors, as well as the presence, intensity and interference of pain in the patient's daily life activities and whether the patient has family or caregiver support.

Resumo Introdução: o pé diabético é uma das complicações mais graves da diabetes, afetando cerca de 15% dos indivíduos com diabetes, e é a maior causa de amputação de membros inferiores de origem não traumática. Este estudo apresenta uma caracterização sociodemográfica e clínica de doentes com pé diabético indicados para cirurgia de amputação. Método: estudo transversal com 206 doentes com diabetes tipo 2 e pé diabético indicados para cirurgia de amputação. Foram recolhidos dados sociodemográficos e clínicos. Intensidade e interferência da dor foram avaliadas por meio do Brief Pain Inventory e os descritores da dor, pelo Douleur Neuropathique 4. Resultados: a maioria dos doentes era do sexo masculino, com baixa escolaridade e uma média de idade de 66 anos. Apresentava diagnóstico de diabetes tipo 2 havia 18 anos e pé diabético havia 4 anos. Cerca de 59% dos doentes apresentavam dor no membro inferior, interferindo significativamente em todas as áreas de funcionamento. Conclusão: as variáveis sociodemográficas desempenham um papel importante na ulceração do pé diabético. As úlceras neuropáticas são mais facilmente preveníveis; portanto, é importante o acompanhamento sistemático dos doentes com neuropatia. Nos doentes com pé neuroisquêmico, estratégias para lidar/gerir a dor de forma mais eficaz são necessárias. A intervenção deve ser multidisciplinar e considerar os fatores sociodemográficos e clínicos, a presença, intensidade e interferência da dor nas atividades de vida diária do doente, bem como a presença de suporte da família ou de um cuidador.

Valoración de enfermería del dolor neuropático asociado a pie diabético en el paciente adulto mayor / Nursing evaluation of neuropathic pain related to diabetic foot in elderly pacients

En relación al contexto de la diabetes mellitus y el aumento de la población longeva es relevante estudiar el proceso de valoración del dolor neuropático asociado al síndrome del pie diabético en el adulto mayor desde todas sus multidimensiones, por su gran impacto en los sistemas de salud, laboral económico y calidad de vida de la persona. La valoración de Enfermería en este grupo humano cobra real importancia para lograr una correcta valoración, evaluación y tratamiento del dolor en las personas de edad avanzada que padecen este síndrome. Metodología: Revisión bibliográfica sobre “Valoración de Enfermería del dolor neuropático asociado a pie diabético en el paciente adulto mayor”. La búsqueda de información fue realizada en bases de datos Up To Date, Scopus, Medline, Envejecimiento en Red, Pubmed. Los descriptores en inglés y en español que se utilizaron en la búsqueda fueron: painful (dolor), pain (dolor), neuropathy (neuropatía), diabetic (diabetes), epidemiology (epidemiologia). Para la combinación de estos términos se utilizó los conectores booleanos NOT, AND y OR. Para la búsqueda en español se utilizaron los siguientes descriptores: epidemiologia, diabetes, Chile, dolor, percepción, envejecimiento, valoración, enfermeira...

Regarding to the context of diabetes mellitus and the increasingly aging population number, it is relevant to study the process of evaluation of neuropathic pain associated to the diabetic foot syndrome in elderly people from a multidimensional point of view, due to the great impact on health and working systems, and people`s quality of life. The nursing valuation in this human group has a great importance in order to achieve a correct evaluation, valuation, and treatment of the pain on the elderly people who suffer from this syndrome. Methodology: Bibliographic revision about “Nursing Evaluation of neuropathic pain related to diabetic foot in elderly patients”. The information research was elaborated from data bases: Up to Date, Scopus, Medline, Envejecimiento en Red, Pubmed. The English and Spanish descriptors used on this research were: painful (dolor), pain (dolor), neuropathy (neuropatía), diabetic (diabetes), epidemiology (epidemiología). On the combination of these terms were used Boolean connectors: NOT, AND, OR. On the Spanish research were used the following descriptors: epidemiology, diabetes, Chile, pain, perception, aging, valuation, and nursing...

Prevalence of neuropathic symptoms in patients referred for temporomandibular disorder in a Chilean hospital, 2014-2015 / Prevalencia de síntomas neuropáticos en pacientes derivados por trastorno témporomandibular en un hospital chileno, 2014-2015

To determine the prevalence of neuropathic symptoms in the orofacial region in patients referred for painful temporomandibular disorder at Hospital Base Valdivia in 2014 and 2015. Materials and method: An observational study was conducted on patients referred for painful temporomandibular disorder by general dentists working in primary dental health care at Hospital Base Valdivia, during October 2014 and March and April 2015. Patients were asked to complete the LANSS pain scale by one of the examiners. The variables age, sex and location of pain were measured and registered. Results: Of the 84 patients surveyed, 88.1 percent were women, with a mean age of 38.2 years. The median score obtained with the LANSS scale was 3.0 [0-8.75]. A 20.2 percent had neuropathic pain symptoms. They were all women with an average age of 36.7. The most recurrent painful area was the right mandibular dermatome of the trigeminal nerve in patients with neuropathic pain symptoms. Conclusion: The prevalence of symptoms of neuropathic pain was 20 percent in patients referred for painful temporomandibular disorders. Dentists should evaluate neuropathic symptoms to provide a proper management of the condition...

Determinar la prevalencia de síntomas neuropáticos orofaciales en pacientes derivados por trastorno témporomandibular doloroso al Hospital Base Valdivia en 2014 y 2015. Material y métodos: Se desarrolló un estudio observacional incluyendo pacientes derivados por trastorno témporomandibular doloroso por odontólogos generales de atención primaria en salud, al servicio dental del Hospital, durante octubre del 2014, marzo y abril del 2015. Un examinador les aplicó la escala de dolor LANSS. Se midieron las variables edad, sexo y localización del dolor. Resultados: De los 84 pacientes encuestados, el 88.1 por ciento fueron mujeres, edad promedio de 38.2 años. La mediana del puntaje obtenido en la escala fue de 3.0 [0-8.75]. Un 20.2 por ciento presentó síntomas de dolor neuropático, todos mujeres, promedio de edad de 36.7 años. El dermatoma de la rama mandibular del nervio trigémino del lado derecho fue la zona dolorosa más frecuente en pacientes con síntomas de dolor neuropático. Conclusión: La prevalencia de síntomas de dolor neuropático es de un 20 por ciento en pacientes derivados por trastornos témporomandibulares dolorosos. Odontólogos deben considerar evaluar la presencia de síntomas neuropáticos para brindar un manejo adecuado...

Increased multiple sclerosis relapses related to lower prevalence of pain / Aumento nos surtos de esclerose múltipla relacionado com menor prevalência de dor

Objective The study aims to investigate the presence of pain amongst multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. Method One hundred MS patients responded to questionnaires evaluating neuropathic and nociceptive pain, depression and anxiety. Statistical analysis was performed using the Mann–Whitney U, Chi-Square and two-tailed Fisher’s exact tests and multivariate logistic regression. Results Women had a statistically higher prevalence of pain (p = 0.037), and chances of having pain after the age of 50 reduced. Women with pain had a statistically significant lower number of relapses (p = 0.003), restricting analysis to those patients with more than one relapse. After the second relapse, each relapse reduced the chance of having pain by 46%. Presence of pain was independent of Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) anxiety, and depression. Conclusion Our findings suggest a strong inverse association between relapses and pain indicating a possible protective role of focal inflammation in the control of pain. .

Objetivo O estudo tem como objetivo investigar a presença de dor entre pacientes com esclerose múltipla (EM). Método Cem pacientes com EM responderam a questionários avaliando dor neuropática e nociceptiva, depressão e ansiedade. A análise estatística foi realizada através dos testes de Mann-Whitney U, Qui-Quadrado, two tailed Fisher exact test e regressão logística multivariada. Resultados As mulheres apresentaram estatisticamente uma maior prevalência de dor (p = 0,037), e as chances de ter dor após a idade de 50 reduziram. As mulheres com dor tinham um número com significância estatística reduzido de surtos (p = 0,003), restringindo a análise aos pacientes com mais de um surto. Após o segundo surto, cada surto reduziu a chance de ter dor em 46%. A presença de dor foi independente da Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) ansiedade e depressão. Conclusão Nossos resultados sugerem uma forte associação inversa entre o surto e a dor, indicando um possível papel protetor da inflamação focal no controle da dor. .

Dolor neuropático oncológico en Chile: eficacia del programa alivio del dolor y cuidados paliativos por cáncer avanzado / Neuropathic cancer pain in Chile: efficacy of the pain relief for advanced cancer and palliative care program

Introducción: El cáncer cobra cada vez más relevancia en elperfil epidemiológico de los países desarrollados o en altas vías dedesarrollo, siendo el dolor el síntoma más frecuente y limitante,especialmente en estadíos avanzados. El dolor neuropático revisteespecial importancia en estos pacientes, debido a las diferenciasy dificultad de su manejo, su severidad y asociación a mayordeterioro en la calidad de vida. En Chile se ha estimado unaprevalencia 8,5% de dolor neuropático en pacientes ingresadosal Programa de Alivio del Dolor y Cuidados Paliativos por cánceravanzado. Este Programa ha sido evaluado exitosamente en elalivio del dolor previo al fallecimiento, sin distinción por tipo dedolor. El presente trabajo evalúa la eficacia de este programa enel alivio del dolor neuropático puro o combinado, y analiza losfactores asociados a su mejoría.Materiales y métodos: Estudio cuantitativo, observacional ylongitudinal sobre la mejoría del dolor, cuantificado según la EscalaVisual Análoga, obtenida entre el ingreso y el fallecimiento de lospacientes atendidos en Programa de Alivio del Dolor y CuidadosPaliativos por cáncer avanzado de Chile, entre los años 1995 a 2009.Se evaluó además, la asociación a variables clínicas y demográficas,mediante análisis de correspondencia y regresión logística, y serealizó un análisis del tiempo de sobrevida en el programa.Resultados: 8,5% (n=306) de los pacientes presentaron dolorneuropático puro o combinado. El 43,1% (n=132) correspondióa dolor somático-neuropático. Las principales localizacionesneoplásicas encontradas fueron: broncopulmonar, mama y cáncercerebral. 75,8% (n=232) vio disminuida su capacidad funcional.La mediana de sobrevida fue de 3 meses desde el ingreso...

Introduction: Every moment cancer takes more relevance on the epidemiologic profile of developed or in high developing countries, being pain the most frequent and limiting symptom, especially on advanced stages. Neuropathic pain is of special importance in this patients, because differences and difficulty on its management, its severity and higher association to a deterioration on life quality. In Chile, a prevalence of 8,5 percent on neuropathic pain has been estimated on patients admitted to the Pain Relief and Palliative Care by Advanced Cancer Program. This program has been evaluated as successful on pain relief before death, without differences by pain type. Our work aims to evaluate this program’s efficacy on relief of neuropathic pain (pure or combined), and to analyze factors associated to itsimprovement. Materials and methods: Quantitative, observational and longitudinal study of pain improvement, quantified by the Analog Visual Scale (AVS), obtained at admission and death of patients attended on the Pain Relief and Palliative Care by Advanced Cancer Program of Chile, between years 1995 to 2009. We also evaluated the association to clinical and demographic variables, through a correspondence analysis and logistic regression. We also analyzed survival in time in the program. Results: 8,5 percent (n=306) of patients presented pure or combined neuropathic pain. 43,1 percent (n=132) corresponded to somaticneuropathic pain. Main neoplastic localizations identifies were: bronchopulmonary, breast and brain cancer. 75,8 percent (n=232) had a detriment on its functional capacity...

Prevalencia de dolor orofacial en la consulta máxilofacial del centro médico San Joaquín de la Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile / Prevalence of orofacial pain in the maxillofacial consultation of the centro médico San Joaquin, Pontificia Universidad Catílica de Chile

Introducción: Los variados cuadros clínicos que cursan con dolor orofacial, así como las repercusiones en la calidad de vida y la economía, tanto de los pacientes como de los organismos de atención de salud, hace que éstos requieran de un manejo multidisciplinario. Objetivo: Determinar la prevalencia de dolor orofacial como motivo de consulta maxilofacial en el Centro Médico San Joaquín de la Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile. Material y método: Estudio descriptivo-retrospectivo del total de primeras consultas de Cirugía Maxilofacial entre los años 2007 y 2010. Se obtuvieron características demográficas y clínicas, generales y específicas para dolor orofacial. Resultados: De un total de 818 pacientes, 245 consultas (30 por ciento) fueron por dolor orofacial, de las cuales 174 (71 por ciento) correspondieron a dolor orofacial músculoesquelético. Conclusiones: La prevalencia de dolor orofacial en nuestro estudio fue de un 30 por ciento, cifra que se encuentra dentro de lo estimado en la literatura (1 por ciento a 55 por ciento), destacando el dolor músculoesquelético como el más prevalente. Un enfoque multidisciplinario se hace necesario dada la complejidad de estos pacientes.

Introduction: The varied clinical conditions that present with orofacial pain, and the impact on quality of life and economy of both the patients and health care agencies, make these require a multidisciplinary management. Objective: To determine the prevalence of orofacial pain as the reason for maxillofacial consultation to Centro Médico San Joaquín, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile. Material and Method: Retrospective descriptive study of all first consultations of Maxillofacial Surgery between 2007 and 2010. Clinic and demographic characteristics were obtained.Results: Of a total of 818 patients, 245 (30 per cent) consultations were for orofacial pain, of which 174 (71 per cent) were for musculoskeletal orofacial pain. Conclusions: The prevalence of orofacial pain found is similar to that reported in the literature. We found a high prevalence of neuropathic pain in this study. Specialized multidisciplinary approach is necessary for the management of this type of pathology, given the complexity in both the diagnosis and treatment.

Neuropathic pain characteristics in patients from Curitiba (Brazil) with spinal cord injury / Dor neuropática em pessoas com lesão medular residentes em Curitiba (Brasil)

This was a descriptive cross-sectional study on patients with spinal cord injuries living in Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil. The aim was to evaluate the pain characteristics among such patients seen at referral care centers for spinal cord injury patients in Curitiba. A total of 109 adults with spinal cord injury in this city were evaluated regarding the presence of pain, especially neuropathic pain. Neuropathic pain was evaluated using the DN4 questionnaire, a universal instrument that has been translated and validated for Portuguese. A visual analog scale (VAS) was used to evaluate the intensity of pain. The prevalence of pain among these 109 patients was 31.2 percent (34 patients). The nociceptive pain presented was classified as musculoskeletal pain (nine patients), visceral pain (four patients) and mixed pain (one patient), thus totaling 14 patients (12.8 percent). Another 20 patients (18.3 percent) showed symptoms of neuropathic pain and fulfilled the criteria for neuropathic pain with scores greater than 4 out 10 in the DN4 questionnaire. Regarding the characteristics of the patients with neuropathic pain, most of them were male, younger than 40 years of age and paraplegic with incomplete lesions. They had become injured from 1 to more than 5 years earlier. The predominant etiology was gunshot wounds, and the intensity of their pain was high, with VAS scores greater than 5. This study partially corroborates other studies conducted on this subject. Studies of this type are important for understanding the profile of these patients, for the purpose of designing strategies for their rehabilitation, with a focus on the appropriate treatment and management of pain.

Estudo transversal descritivo em pacientes com lesão medular que residem em Curitiba, Paraná, Brasil. O objetivo foi avaliar as características da dor em pacientes com lesão medular acompanhados em Centros de Reabilitação de referência na cidade. Os sujeitos envolvidos na pesquisa foram 109 pacientes adultos com lesão medular. Foi avaliada a presença de dor, principalmente dor neuropática, mediante aplicação do Questionário DN4, um instrumento universal traduzido e validado para o português. A Escala Visual Analógica (EVA) também foi usada para avaliar a intensidade da dor. A prevalência de dor nos 109 pacientes avaliados foi de 31,2 por cento, ou seja, 34 pacientes. Destes, nove apresentaram dor nociceptiva classificada como músculo-esquelética, quatro dor visceral e um paciente apresentou dor mista, totalizando 14 pacientes (12,8 por cento). Além disso, 20 pacientes (18,3 por cento) apresentaram dor neuropática, cumprindo os critérios para este tipo de dor com uma contagem superior a 4/10 para o DN4. Sobre as características dos pacientes com dor neuropática, a maioria era do sexo masculino, abaixo de 40 anos, paraplégico com lesão incompleta e tempo de evolução entre um e cinco anos de lesão. A etiologia predominante foi perfuração por arma de fogo e a intensidade da dor era severa, com EVA superior a cinco. Este estudo confirma parcialmente outros estudos publicados sobre o tema. Pesquisas deste tipo são importantes para entender o perfil destes pacientes com a finalidade de estabelecer estratégias para uma reabilitação com foco no tratamento e manejo adequado da dor.

Prevalence of neuropathic pain among patients suffering from chronic low back pain in Saudi Arabia

The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of neuropathic pain among patients suffering from chronic low back pain using the Leeds assessment of neuropathic symptoms and signs [LANSS] pain scale. This was a pilot study collected from 10 centers in the Middle East Region, with each center enrolling 10 patients between November 2004 and January 2004. In total, 100 patients with chronic low back pain were included in the study. The LANSS clinical assessment score was used to assess the presence of neuropathic pain. Patients with score >/= 12 were considered to have neuropathic pain, while patients with score a less than 12 were considered as having nociceptive pain. We found that 41% of the chronic low back pain patients had neuropathic pain and 59% had nociceptive pain. The ability to identify neuropathic pain mechanisms should lead to individualized treatment resulting in improved pain control in this group of patients with chronic low back pain