The Frequency of Neuropathic Pain and Associated Factors in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis

Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate the presence and incidence of neuropathic pain (NP) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and to determine the relationship between neuropathic pain scores, quality of life and functional status. Methods 119 patients with RA and 45 control subjects with acute non-inflammatory pain were recruited for the study. Disease activity with DAS28 (Disease Activity Score-28), pain visual analog scale, functional status and quality of life were recorded. Quality of life was evaluated with the Rheumatoid Arthritis Quality of Life Scale (RAQoL), and functional status was assessed with the Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ). The presence of NP was evaluated with the LANSS (Leeds Assessment of Neuropathic Symptoms and Signs), Douleur Neuropathique 4 (DN4) and painDETECT questionnaires (PDQ). Results The prevalence of NP according to LANSS, DN4 and PDQ was 63.9%, 58.8% and 51.3% in the RA group and 6.7%, 4.4% and 4.4% in the control group, respectively. NP scores were significantly higher in the RA group (p<0.001). LANSS, DN4 and PDQ scores correlated with VAS, HAQ and RAQoL scores. Conclusion The NP evaluated with different pain questionnaires is not rare in patients with RA and is related to functional status and quality of life.