The Prevalence of Neuropathic Pain After Non-traumatic Spinal Cord Lesion

Study Design: Retrospective register study.

Objective: To investigate the predictive value of the following parameters for the development of neuropathic pain after non-traumatic spinal cord lesion: that is age at onset of spinal cord disease, gender, completeness of lesion, level of lesion, and aetiology.

Setting: A unit for patients with post-acute traumatic and non-traumatic spinal cord lesions in the greater area of Stockholm, Sweden.

Method: All patients with non-traumatic spinal cord lesions visiting the unit between 1995 and 2000 were classified according to the following: that is neuropathic pain at or below lesion level according to IASP criteria, age at time of the onset of the spinal cord symptoms, injury level, complete/incomplete injury, and aetiology. Results were analysed with chi(2) - analysis and logistic regression.

Results: In total, 38% had neuropathic pain, 15% had pain predominantly at the level of lesion, and 23% predominantly below the level of lesion. Of those with pain, 67% reported that the pain affected daily life. Women reported neuropathic pain below the level of lesion more often (40%) than men (13%). The prevalence was particularly high (64%) for patients with malignant spinal cord diseases. Neither age at onset of the spinal cord symptoms, nor complete/incomplete injury nor injury level had significant influence on the prevalence.

Conclusion: Neuropathic pain is common among patients with acquired non-traumatic spinal cord lesions regardless of aetiology, often causing severe problems in daily life.