Распространенность депрессивных симптомов у пациентов с хронической пояснично-крестцовой радикулопатией

Abstract

Study Objective: To study the prevalence of depressive syndromes in patients with chronic lumbosacral radiculopathy and pain syndrome, and to identify correlations between neuropathic pain and psychoemotional disturbances. Study Design: open perspective study. Materials and Methods. The study included 126 patients (45 (35.7%) males and 81 (64.3%) females) of 19 to 78 years old with verified unilateral lumbosacral radiculopathy of L4, L5, S1 radicules resulting from degenerative damage of the spine lasting for more than 12 weeks. For assessment, we used the Pain Detect Questionnaire, visual analogue scale for pain syndrome, Oswestry Disability Index, and Beck Depression Inventory. Study Results. Among patients with chronic lumbosacral radiculopathy, depressive syndromes were diagnosed in 74 (587%) cases as follows: 26 (20.6%) patients had mild (subclinical) depression, 33 (26.2%) cases were of moderate intensity, 12 (9.5%) patients had marked, and 3 (2.4%) had severe depression. We used Spearmen’s rank-order correlation to identify statistically significant correlations between Beck Depression Inventory score and neuropathic pain syndrome intensity (Pain Detect Questionnaire) (r = 0.861; p = 0.006). Pain Detect Questionnaire and Oswestry score correlated as well (r = 0.745; p = 0.001). Conclusion. Chronic pain syndrome in patients with lumbosacral radiculopathy resulting from degenerative damage of the spine is characterised by high comorbidity with depression. The results justify inclusion of psychoemotional assessment into a routine screening program for patients with lumbosacral radiculopathy. Keywords: depression, chronic back pain, lumbosacral radiculopathy, neuropathic pain syndrome.