Polyneuropathy and radiculopathy in rheumatoid arthritis patients with low back pain: Clinical characteristics, functional disability, depression, anxiety and quality of life

Abstract

Aim of the workThe purpose of this study was to investigate the rheumatoid arthritis (RA) characteristics, functional capacity, depression and anxiety as well as quality of life (QoL) in RA patients with chronic radicular low back and leg pain diagnosis which was determined by using electroneuromyographic (ENMG) evaluation. Patients and methodsIn this study, 32 female RA patients with radicular low back and leg pain for at least 3months were recruited. Electroneuromyographic (ENMG) evaluation was performed in all patients and accordingly grouped: group 1: normal ENMG (n=7; 22%), group 2: patients with polyneuropathy (n=8; 25%) and group 3: patients with radiculopathy (n=17; 53%). Disease activity was assessed by disease activity score (DAS28) and functional disability by modified Health Assessment Questionnaire (mHAQ). Arthritis Impact Measurement Scale-2 was used to assess QoL and Beck Inventory for assessment of anxiety and depression. ResultsThe mean age of the patients was 54.7±10.3years and disease duration 14.9±8.3years. The DAS-28 and functional disability were significantly increased (p=0.005 and p=0.01) in group-2 compared to the other groups. There were no significant differences in the depression and anxiety scores among the 3 groups. Significantly impaired QoL parameters (Hand-finger function, arm function, social activity and pain) were present in the polyneuropathy group. There was no difference in assessment parameters between the normal and radiculopathy groups. ConclusionsChronic radicular low back and leg pain in patients with RA may be due to probable lumbar radiculopathy as well as an indicator for polyneuropathy.