Prevalence of Neuropathic Pain among Patients with Chronic Low-back Pain in the Arabian Gulf Region Assessed Using the Leeds Assessment of Neuropathic Symptoms and Signs Pain Scale

This prospective, multicentre, epidemiological study was designed to assess the prevalence of neuropathic pain among adults with chronic low-back pain (LBP) in the Arabian Gulf region. A total of 1134 patients recruited from the outpatient medical setting were assessed using the Leeds Assessment of Neuropathic Symptoms and Signs (LANSS) Pain Scale. A LANSS Pain Scale score >= 12 was used to differentiate between patients with a neuropathic contribution to their pain and those with nociceptive pain only. Using this criterion, 628 patients (55%) were classified as having neuropathic pain. Factors associated with neuropathic pain included advanced age, female gender and diabetes with or without hypertension. It was concluded that neuropathic pain is a major contributor to chronic LBP in the Gulf region, and that the LANSS Pain Scale is a practical and rapidly administered screening test for distinguishing the relative contributions of neuropathic and nociceptive pain in patients with chronic LBP that resulted in the use of a more appropriate treatment.