Quantitative sensory profiles of upper extremity chemotherapy induced peripheral neuropathy: Are there differences in sensory profiles for neuropathic versus nociceptive pain?

Abstract

Aims: The aim of this study was to define the sensory phenotypes of taxane-induced peripheral neuropathy (TIPN) between neuropathic and nonneuropathic symptoms in a breast cancer population to identify future targets for mechanism-based pain management. Methods: Participants (n = 48) with stage I-III breast cancer. Self-report questionnaires and quantitative sensory testing were used to assess sensory symptoms. The self-report version of the Leeds Assessment for Neuropathic Symptoms and Signs (S-LANSS) divided the groups into neuropathic and nonneuropathic sensory phenotypes. In total, five visits over approximately 8 months assessed each participant from pre-chemotherapy to 6 months post-chemotherapy. Results: Out of 191 nerve assessments, 150 had an S-LANSS <12 defined as "nonneuropathic" and 41 scored >12, which was defined as "neuropathic." Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) was analyzed based on percentages of those experiencing 1+ pain (graded 1/10 or higher) versus no pain. The neuropathic group had 82.9% of 1+ pain vs. 28.7% in the nonneuropathic group (odds ratio = 7.49; 95% confidence interval, 2.76-20.3; P = 0.001). The neuropathic group reported impaired function on the Disability of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) questionnaire (P = 0.002). Heat pain threshold resulted in statistical differences for the left hand but not the right hand in the neuropathic group (P = 0.05). No other quantitative data on warm/cool or cold or vibration demonstrated sensory differences between the groups. Conclusions: Few differences in sensory profiles measured using quantitative sensory testing (QST) were found. Heat pain thresholds were normalized, possibly suggesting that the neuropathic group retained C-fiber and transient potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) function. Participants with neuropathic pain demonstrated significant differences with increased pain and decreased function.

Keywords: S-LANSS; chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN); neuropathic pain; quantitative sensory testing (QST); sensory neuropathy.

Figure 1.

Distribution of S-LANSS scores over time. This graph represents each participant’s S-LANSS score over time. Participants with no neuropathic pain are shown in black. Participants indicating neuropathic pain on one visit only are in red. When neuropathic symptoms are transient, symptoms are more likely to be present during chemotherapy and decrease over time. Participants who reported neuropathic pain on multiple visits are shown in blue. Participants reporting neuropathic pain symptoms on multiple visits were likely to have persistent symptoms at the end of the trial.