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. 2025 May;15(5):251-258.
doi: 10.1080/17581869.2025.2494978. Epub 2025 Apr 25.

Prevalence and factors associated with cancer-related neuropathic pain among cancer patients in Nigeria - a single-center cross-sectional study

Ogochukwu Izuegbuna  1 , Israel Kolawole  2 , Saliu Oguntola  3 , Tiwalade Woods-Ali  2 , Oyewale Saburi  4 , Chijioke Chijindu Adindu  4 , Samuel Olatoke  4 , Olawale Adebayo Olakulehin  3
Affiliations

Prevalence and factors associated with cancer-related neuropathic pain among cancer patients in Nigeria - a single-center cross-sectional study

Ogochukwu Izuegbuna et al. Pain Manag. 2025 May.

Abstract

Objectives: Neuropathic pain is a major challenge in supportive care management among cancer patients. This study aims to evaluate neuropathic pain in Nigerian cancer patients.

Methods: This is a cross-sectional study with 126 cancer patients recruited from the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital and are 18 years and above. Medical records were collected from their medical files and the patients. The painDETECT questionnaire (PDQ) and the numeric rating scale (NRS) were used to determine the level and form pain.

Results: Neuropathic pain in the target populace of cancer patients was 23% in prevalence. The mean age of the cancer patients in the study was 53 years; 69.8% were females. A considerable association was seen between neuropathic pain and performance status (p < 0.001), morphine and pregabalin use (p < 0.001). Binary logistic regression analysis, performance status (b = 18.00, p = 0.009) and use of morphine (b = 11.52, p < 0.001) and pregabalin (b = 18.09, p < 0.001) were significantly associated with neuropathic pain. Performance status, and morphine use (p < 0.001) were associated with pain severity.

Discussion: This being the first study in Nigeria, neuropathic pain incidence in Nigerian cancer patients is a work in progress. Performance status and some pain modifiers are predictors of neuropathic pain in Nigerian cancer patients.

Keywords: Neuropathic pain; cancer; cancer pain; chemotherapy; screening tool.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

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