Prevalence and factors associated with cancer-related neuropathic pain among cancer patients in Nigeria - a single-center cross-sectional study

Objectives: Neuropathic pain is a major challenge in supportive care management among cancer patients. This study aims to evaluate neuropathic pain in Nigerian cancer patients. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study with 126 cancer patients recruited from the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital and are 18 years and above. Medical records were collected from their medical files and the patients. The painDETECT questionnaire (PDQ) and the numeric rating scale (NRS) were used to determine the level and form pain. Results: Neuropathic pain in the target populace of cancer patients was 23% in prevalence. The mean age of the cancer patients in the study was 53 years; 69.8% were females. A considerable association was seen between neuropathic pain and performance status (p < 0.001), morphine and pregabalin use (p < 0.001). Binary logistic regression analysis, performance status (b = 18.00, p = 0.009) and use of morphine (b = 11.52, p < 0.001) and pregabalin (b = 18.09, p < 0.001) were significantly associated with neuropathic pain. Performance status, and morphine use (p < 0.001) were associated with pain severity. Discussion: This being the first study in Nigeria, neuropathic pain incidence in Nigerian cancer patients is a work in progress. Performance status and some pain modifiers are predictors of neuropathic pain in Nigerian cancer patients.