Prospective observational study on quality of life in painful neuropathic pain conditions

Abstract

Background: Neuropathic pain is the most complicated, disabling condition due to varied etiologies and clinical presentations, and with substantial global problem on the individual suffering with pain as well as the society he thrives in. The consequences of long effects of pain are so huge that it has an impact on one’s social, physical, psychological, behavioral domains, etc., and mainly leads to substance abuse, mood disorders, sleep disturbances, and increased suicidal tendencies which have an enormous and detrimental effect on patient’s quality of life (QOL). Aims and Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the effect of neuropathic pain on the QOL and to determine the extent of socioeconomic burden on subjects with neuropathic pain conditions. Materials and Methods: This prospective, observational study was done on 100 successive subjects including both the gender aged 18–65 years, diagnosed with neuropathic pain conditions, who attended pain clinic (Outpatient Department) at Kempegowda Institute of Medical Sciences, Hospital and Research Centre, Bangalore, and subjects assessed for the impact of neuropathic pain conditions on the QoL and its influence on overall health using short-form (SF) 12 QoL. Results: The assessment of health-related QoL in the study subjects, regarding age group, gender, and duration of pain, concluded that scores with physical health (PH) and mental health (MH) were low in the age group of 31–50 years (54%) in both sexes. Lower scores in PH and MH dimensions were noted more in women (31%) than men. It was also noted that the scores were low in PH and MH components with increasing duration of illness. Conclusion: The health-related QoL in subjects with NP was assessed by SF-12 QoL questionnaire that evaluated the eight domains of Health, that is, PH and MH scores that summed up to PH composite scale-12 and MH composite scale-12 scores with respect to age group, gender, duration of pain, etc. and ongoing drug therapy, the results of which were statistically significant.