ABSTRACT
This prospective, multicentre, epidemiological study was designed to assess the prevalence of neuropathic pain among adults with chronic low-back pain (LBP) in the Arabian Gulf region. A total of 1134 patients recruited from the outpatient medical setting were assessed using the Leeds Assessment of Neuropathic Symptoms and Signs (LANSS) Pain Scale. A LANSS Pain Scale score ≥ 12 was used to differentiate between patients with a neuropathic contribution to their pain and those with nociceptive pain only. Using this criterion, 628 patients (55%) were classified as having neuropathic pain. Factors associated with neuropathic pain included advanced age, female gender and diabetes with or without hypertension. It was concluded that neuropathic pain is a major contributor to chronic LBP in the Gulf region, and that the LANSS Pain Scale is a practical and rapidly administered screening test for distinguishing the relative contributions of neuropathic and nociceptive pain in patients with chronic LBP that resulted in the use of a more appropriate treatment.
