Neuropathic pain in patients with osteoarthritis of hip joint

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the relationship between neuropathic pain and pain deriving from osteoarthritis of the hip joint, using painDETECT, a self-report questionnaire. Patients with osteoarthritis of the hip joint referred to the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at Chiba University Hospital were eligible for participation in the study. All the patients completed painDETECT and visual analogue scales and underwent radiological examination. We classified the patients into three groups: likely neuropathic pain, possible neuropathic pain and unlikely neuropathic pain by painDETECT score. And we evaluated the relationships between painDETECT score and radiological findings, visual analogue scales score and age. One hundred thirty-five patients participated in this study. In all, 8 (5.9%) were classified as likely neuropathic pain, 17 (12.6%) as possible neuropathic pain, and 110 (81.5%) as unlikely neuropathic pain. Visual analogue scales scores were significantly higher in likely neuropathic pain and possible neuropathic pain patients than in unlikely neuropathic pain patients. painDETECT score did not significantly correlate with radiological findings or age but did positively correlate with visual analogue scales score (rs = 0.53, p < 0.001). Our study results suggest that in a certain percentage of patients, the mechanism of pain in osteoarthritis of the hip joint is predominantly neuropathic in origin.