An Epidemiological Study of Neuropathic Pain Symptoms in Canadian Adults

The reported prevalence of neuropathic pain ranges from 6.9% to 10%; however the only Canadian study reported 17.9%. The objective of this study was to describe the epidemiology of neuropathic pain in Canada. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in a random sample of Canadian adults. The response...

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Main Authors: Elizabeth G. VanDenKerkhof, Elizabeth G. Mann, Nicola Torrance, Blair H. Smith, Ana Johnson, Ian Gilron
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2016-01-01
Series:Pain Research and Management
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2016/9815750
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author Elizabeth G. VanDenKerkhof
Elizabeth G. Mann
Nicola Torrance
Blair H. Smith
Ana Johnson
Ian Gilron
author_facet Elizabeth G. VanDenKerkhof
Elizabeth G. Mann
Nicola Torrance
Blair H. Smith
Ana Johnson
Ian Gilron
author_sort Elizabeth G. VanDenKerkhof
collection DOAJ
description The reported prevalence of neuropathic pain ranges from 6.9% to 10%; however the only Canadian study reported 17.9%. The objective of this study was to describe the epidemiology of neuropathic pain in Canada. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in a random sample of Canadian adults. The response rate was 21.1% (1504/7134). Likely or possible neuropathic pain was defined using a neuropathic pain-related diagnosis and a positive outcome on the Self-Report Leeds Assessment of Neuropathic Symptoms and Signs pain scale (S-LANSS) or the Douleur Neuropathique 4 (DN4) Questions. The prevalence of likely neuropathic pain was 1.9% (S-LANSS) and 3.4% (DN4) and that of possible neuropathic pain was 5.8% (S-LANSS) and 8.1% (DN4). Neuropathic pain was highest in economically disadvantaged males. There is a significant burden of neuropathic pain in Canada. The low response rate and a slightly older and less educated sample than the Canadian population may have led to an overestimate of neuropathic pain. Population prevalence varies by screening tool used, indicating more work is needed to develop reliable measures. Population level screening targeted towards high risk groups should improve the sensitivity and specificity of screening, while clinical examination of those with positive screening results will further refine the estimate of prevalence.
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spelling doaj-art-70f3a1682a6c497eb00a27012a29bfd02025-08-20T02:06:47ZengWileyPain Research and Management1203-67651918-15232016-01-01201610.1155/2016/98157509815750An Epidemiological Study of Neuropathic Pain Symptoms in Canadian AdultsElizabeth G. VanDenKerkhof0Elizabeth G. Mann1Nicola Torrance2Blair H. Smith3Ana Johnson4Ian Gilron5School of Nursing and Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON, K7L 3N6, CanadaSchool of Nursing, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON, K7L 3N6, CanadaNinewells Hospital and Medical School, University of Dundee, Dundee DD2 4DB, UKPopulation Health Sciences, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, University of Dundee, Dundee DD2 4DB, UKDepartment of Public Health Sciences, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON, K7L 3N6, CanadaDepartments of Anesthesiology & Perioperative Medicine and Biomedical & Molecular Sciences, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON, K7L 3N6, CanadaThe reported prevalence of neuropathic pain ranges from 6.9% to 10%; however the only Canadian study reported 17.9%. The objective of this study was to describe the epidemiology of neuropathic pain in Canada. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in a random sample of Canadian adults. The response rate was 21.1% (1504/7134). Likely or possible neuropathic pain was defined using a neuropathic pain-related diagnosis and a positive outcome on the Self-Report Leeds Assessment of Neuropathic Symptoms and Signs pain scale (S-LANSS) or the Douleur Neuropathique 4 (DN4) Questions. The prevalence of likely neuropathic pain was 1.9% (S-LANSS) and 3.4% (DN4) and that of possible neuropathic pain was 5.8% (S-LANSS) and 8.1% (DN4). Neuropathic pain was highest in economically disadvantaged males. There is a significant burden of neuropathic pain in Canada. The low response rate and a slightly older and less educated sample than the Canadian population may have led to an overestimate of neuropathic pain. Population prevalence varies by screening tool used, indicating more work is needed to develop reliable measures. Population level screening targeted towards high risk groups should improve the sensitivity and specificity of screening, while clinical examination of those with positive screening results will further refine the estimate of prevalence.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2016/9815750
spellingShingle Elizabeth G. VanDenKerkhof
Elizabeth G. Mann
Nicola Torrance
Blair H. Smith
Ana Johnson
Ian Gilron
An Epidemiological Study of Neuropathic Pain Symptoms in Canadian Adults
Pain Research and Management
title An Epidemiological Study of Neuropathic Pain Symptoms in Canadian Adults
title_full An Epidemiological Study of Neuropathic Pain Symptoms in Canadian Adults
title_fullStr An Epidemiological Study of Neuropathic Pain Symptoms in Canadian Adults
title_full_unstemmed An Epidemiological Study of Neuropathic Pain Symptoms in Canadian Adults
title_short An Epidemiological Study of Neuropathic Pain Symptoms in Canadian Adults
title_sort epidemiological study of neuropathic pain symptoms in canadian adults
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2016/9815750
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