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. 2017 Apr;21(4):727-737.
doi: 10.1002/ejp.977. Epub 2017 Jan 20.

The prevalence and impact of chronic neuropathic pain on daily and social life: A nationwide study in a Japanese population

S Inoue  1 , T Taguchi  2 , T Yamashita  3 , M Nakamura  4 , T Ushida  1
Affiliations

The prevalence and impact of chronic neuropathic pain on daily and social life: A nationwide study in a Japanese population

S Inoue et al. Eur J Pain. 2017 Apr.

Abstract

Background: This study marks the first epidemiological evaluation of the prevalence and burden of chronic neuropathic pain (NeP) in an Asian population. The objective of this nationwide cross-sectional study was to identify the characteristics of individuals with NeP, detect the NeP features that affect their quality of life (QOL), and demonstrate the negative effects of NeP on social and daily living as well as comorbidities including depression, anxiety and sleep disorders.

Methods: We mailed a cross-sectional, population-based epidemiological survey to a random nationwide sample of 10,000 Japanese adults over 20 years old.

Results: The response rate was 54.4% (2445 men, 2992 women; mean age, 53.4 years). Prevalence of chronic pain was 16.6%, and prevalence of NeP was 3.2% as detected by the PainDETECT. Participants with NeP showed significantly lower quality of life according to scores on the EuroQol-5 Dimensions scale (p < 0.001), higher levels of psychological distress on the Kessler 6-item psychological distress scale (p < 0.001), poorer sleep quality (p < 0.001), and more workdays lost (p < 0.001) than did participants without NeP. Linear regression modelling showed that widespread pain, thermal hyperalgesia and pressure-induced pain had strong associations with lower QOL, with regression coefficients of -0.046 (p < 0.001), -0.038 (p < 0.001), and -0.040 (p < 0.001), respectively.

Conclusions: This study is the first to report the prevalence of NeP in an Asian population using a validated questionnaire. This study provides compelling evidence that chronic NeP is more strongly associated with poorer QOL, mental health and social well-being than CP without a neuropathic component.

Significance: This population-based nationwide epidemiological study revealed the prevalence, characteristics, and negative effects of chronic pain with neuropathic components in Asian society. The prevalence of neuropathic pain was 3.2% with PainDETECT.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Percentage of respondents with chronic pain with or without neuropathic pain by age.
Figure 2
Figure 2
The influence of neuropathic pain components on the utility values of EQ‐5D (A), K6 (B), sleep interference (C) and workdays lost (D). Statistical analyses were performed with an ANCOVA followed by Bonferroni post hoc tests. Means are shown as columns, and the error bars represent the SE. *p < 0.001.
Figure 3
Figure 3
(A) Number of medical facility visits for the treatment of chronic pain. (B) Variety of medical treatments received for chronic pain (multiple answers allowed). (C) Number of medical treatment facility visits for chronic pain (CP). (D) Efficacy of treatment for CP.
Figure 4
Figure 4
The influence of neuropathic pain (NeP) components on health‐related QOL, psychological distress, sleep and loss of work. The adjusted influence of NeP components on the utility values of EQ‐5D (A), K6 (B), sleep interference (C) and workdays lost (D). Values were adjusted by age, sex, intensity of pain and duration of pain. Statistical analyses were performed with an ANCOVA followed by Bonferroni post hoc tests. Means are shown as columns, and the error bars represent the SE. *p < 0.001.
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